Asus Xonar Essence STX – PCI-E Audiophile Soundcard
Packaging and Contents
Asus have chosen to represent their Essence STX with a plain simple packaging displaying the ‘Chime of Tiger’ logo. It’s certainly different and should stand out on the shelves.
The rear of the box is a patchwork of information and whilst it looks good, it’s actually pretty hard to make out the essential details.
Thankfully Asus provide a lot clearer information on the inside of the cover. The card is visible, something I always like to see. The information is arranged in a clear concise way.
The card and contents are well protected by a clear plastic covering which also shows off the card to it’s advantage.
The package that comes with the Essence STX is actually more basic than I had expected if I’m honest.
You get:
• 2 x Xonar Essence STX Posters
• User manual
• Audio Precision Test Report
• 1 x RCA to 3.5mm jack adaptor
• SPDif pass-through digital Toslink Adaptor
• 3.5mm to 6.25mm headphone connector
Everything is there to do the basics, but with a £160 sound card, I did expect something else. Perhaps a Digital Optical cable or something. I’m perhaps being a little picky, but posters of the sound card are a little lame and I cannot see any audiophile putting them up.
