ASUS launches Xonar Essence One for audio enthusiasts

Those looking for extreme high-end audio quality turn to DACs and audio amplifiers even when it comes to headphones.

Rossi Fernandes|Aug 26, 2011, 19:25:50 IST

Those looking for extreme high-end audio quality turn to DACs and audio amplifiers, even when it comes to headphones. ASUS has now launched a new Xonar product – the Essence One, which is a USB capable DAC (digital-to-analog convertor) that supports sample rates upto 192kHz. Using up scaling, ASUS claims that this can go right up to 384 kHz. The Xonar Essence One is said to to able to drive headphones with impedance going to up as high as 600 Ohms. The op-amps being used on the Xonar Essence One can also be interchanged, which should help in changing the characteristics of the headphones connected to it.

Strictly for audiophile usage

The Xonar Essence One can also be connected to its source without the need of a PC. It has a USB input, coaxial/Toslink inputs and outputs in the form of XLR, dual RCA and 6.3mm connects. A 6.3mm to 3.5mm convertor is also bundled with the DAC. ASUS has priced the Essence One at Rs. 21,000 and the product is being sold locally with a warranty of one year.

Specifications:

Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 120dB
Output Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz@-3dB (A-Weighted) : -110dB
Frequency Response: <10Hz to 48kHz
Analog Sample Rate: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
Output ports: Balanced Output (XLR), Unbalanced Output (Dual RCA), 6.3mm Jack headphone output Metal with plated gold, black housing
Input ports: USB jack, Coaxial / Toslink jack, Metal with plated gold, black housing

By Rossi Fernandes

Our resident Hardware Ninja, Rossi, lives for speed - by uhh riding his bicycle. He's Tech2's utility man, dividing his time between cameras, software and intense bouts of Quake III. He's also a fan of all things obscure, case in point, Live for Speed (sic). Never heard of it? We rest our case. In his spare time he tries to teach our new joinees the tricks of the trade even though the blood sweat and tears, but give him a camera and all things forgotten.