Can't beat the sound. (Tip) To change it to your front panel headphones use the ASUS Control Center that is installed with the software or download the lastest update. You can switch from Speakers to Front Headphones.

This is a great sound card ,with 24 bit you cant get any better than this in sound quality, I bought this card for my Music Apps and this card works with them beautifully recreating true to life sounds. If you need an ASIO sound card look no further.

So first of all, for people who are saying that they are hearing noise from outputs. The only noise I hear from the card is from HP out, when sample rate is set to 44.1 Khz. What can be the reason of the noise and how to prevent it: 1. Don't use video cards. Use only integrated video. 2.

Sound quality; Takes power direct from PSU; Swappable op-amps; Build quality

DRIVER; Headphone output sound quality

An excellent sound card. Will work in any type PCI-E slot (x1, x4, etc.), and recently released software finally works with Win7 RTM. Paired with a set of premium headphones or amplified studio monitors, you can do some serious recording and/or listening. Recommended!

The Asus Xonar Essence is extremely good. Although a little long in the tooth, it still performs well. It beats the dust out of the so called hi def on board sound as supplied by many mobo manufactures. Being PCIe it will work in any size socket without any problem with video cards.

Amazing Sound Card. I'm Hearing Stuff In Tunes I Have Never Heard Before. As a music Producer Myself This is Perfect For Me. As I Can hear Everything In crystal clear sound. This Card Also Does Well In Games I Recommend. :)

Have this hooked up to some Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 speakers. I know they aren't not the best speakers out there, but this thing makes them sound really really nice. I'm impressed most playing my guitar through it via IK Multimedia Amplitube. Using the ASIO driver set @ 24-bit 2ms it's perfect.

Perfect for headphones. Gets the best out of any headphones/earphones. Quality of output is pristine. Listen to musical notes never heard before, in any song, with a good headset. Even though drivers could be better, giving it a 5 star is not exaggerating.

Reliable

Difficult To Install; Expensive

Reliability

I had tried a few headsets (Corsair, Logitech, Razer) but in one form or another they were lacking. I decided I wanted to get the best sound possible (within my budget), especially for gaming, so I bought this sound card. First of all, it is pricey. But for me, that was the only con.