Asus STX Vs Asus St vs Phoebus: which will be more future proof?

blackdevilmt

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Nov 12, 2012
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So I need a new soundcard for home sorround, for now I have a 100w 5.1 system but in near future I am thinking of getting that 500w logitech sorround (the problem once again is money hihi) . The asus phoebus costs 145euros and the essence st 179 e and the essence stx 175ish forgot.

What is more future proof between the st and stx? As the pci is going extinct on new mobos, I don't want to end up getting rid of it. Do you think the essence stx will be better in my case because of the pci-e?

Looking at my mobo Asus rampage 3 extreme I don't have a PCI slot already... Is there a lot of difference between them apart that the ST has a jitter clock but is this difference negligible?

Essence STX vs Phoebus... My only issue is the stability of the phoebus drivers apart from that there ain't a huge difference apart that with these 30 euros I can get a beer or two.
 

Conrad925

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Sep 18, 2009
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The ASUS STX is a stereo card with virtual 5.1/7.1. It also has a very good headphone amp for driving high end 300 ohm headphones. Unless you have the high-end equipment to go with it (speakers/headphones/flac music files), you won't get the full potential out of this card
As far as future-proofing, you have the right idea with going for the pci-e card. Also as you mentioned, finding stable Windows 7/8/8.1 drivers can be problematic with any soundcard. Check the ASUS forums for current status regarding drivers.