ASUS XONAR DG Headphone Amp & PCI 5.1 Audio Card

by Asus

• Audio Performance: Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 105 dB; Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
• Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input): <10Hz to 48KHz; Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage: 1 Vrms (3 Vp-p);
• Audio Processor: C-Media CMI8786 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 96KHz/24bit); 24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources: 1x Cirrus-Logic
• 24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs: 1x Cirrus Logic CS4245 (104dB DNR, Max. 192KHz/24bit);
• Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution: 44.1K/48K/96KHz @ 16/24bit; S/PDIF

Product Details

• Item Weight: 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0045JHJSS
• Item model number: XONAR_DG
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #1 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Components > Internal Sound Cards
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 1, 2010

Product Description

Asus Xonar DG PCI 5.1 Channel Sound Card

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great card July 2, 2011

By Albert Alpha

After much procrastination, I finally decided to upgrade to Windows 7 - 64 bit. My sound card was the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE. The upgrade went reasonably well, the sound card worked, but I could no longer find the Creative Audio Console (with the sound effect, equalizer etc.) It seems that Creative doesn't support the Audio Console for Windows 7 64 bit. I am not a gamer but I use my PC to feed my living room Sony receiver with streaming music and, of course, the music stored on the PC. I needed a good card with minimal effects but good sound and was resigned to pay up to 100 dollars for a replacement to my Creative card. Not being a techie type, I went to Micro Center for a little education.

The sales assistant recommended the ASUS Xonar DG at close to 30 dollars. They also had a more expensive Xonar model (close to 90$). I explained to the sales assistant that I only have two speakers attached to the sound card, plus a line-out connection to my receiver. Surprisingly, he discouraged me from buying the more expensive model.

The card installation went smoothly (I followed the instructions.) No driver problems. The most pleasant surprise was the sound - just great.
The ASUS Audio Center is OK. I set the number of channels to 2, selected the maximum sampling rate (PCM 96 kHz), analog out to 2 speakers. The number of preset effects is limited but adequate and I programmed a couple more by adjusting the equalizer. I did not bother with any of the other selections on the Audio Console. The sound was very good across all music styles (I don't know about games, I don't game). I read a more exhaustive review of the card (after I bought it) here: [...]

I'm glad I had problems with my Creative card software, otherwise I wouldn't have discovered this inexpensive little gem. Highly recommended.

60 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Audiophile sound at a fraction of the price, ASUS does it again!!! November 15, 2010

By Adobe Master

Amazon Verified Purchase

For only Thirty one dollars I spent here on Amazon which included shipping for this Xonar DG I must say that I am am happy that ASUS decided to make a cheap card with a headphone amp. I owned a Xonar D2X and Xonar DX. Also owned creative sound cards and I will never buy another create crap. They don't even update their drivers for their older cards.

After hearing the Xonar D2X and DX I could safely say this Xonar DG sounds near identical. I honestly cannot tell the difference between any of them.
I currently run this card with a Sennheiser HD555 and Denon D2000 headphones and it does power the Denons better than the much more expensive Xonar d2x etc.
It is definitely powerful I have it set on 64 ohms aka pro gaming as they call it.
Its definitely light years improvement from onboard sound. Especially if you use good quality headphones the difference really will be night and day.
If you are using powered studio monitors like the M-Audio and stuff then you want this. Because the quality of audiophile headphones and speakers are so great they reveal the distortion in onboard. You won't notice it until you hear these, when you hear it through this sound card you will wonder how did you listen to onboard all these years.

EDIT UPDATE:

I have decided to give some feedback on the music experience some more. After some burn in and letting my ears become adjusted to it, I have noticed this card sounds warm. It has a warm and lively upfront presentation of music I guess you can also say its bright. I believe the Xonar DX and D2X was a but more laid back, with that said this thing rocks with rock music.

I am listening to the AC/DC albums in FLAC loseless audio and my god are these babies great. I wish it had some form of bass boost option though.
But over the years I had trained my ears to listen to music with a flat EQ. Before I hated it and liked over exaggerated muddy bass. But now that my ears are trained to proper music the way the artist intended me to hear it I can safely say these babies rock.

If you are a great fan of maybe music by Celine Dion and stuff I guess you could buy the Xonar DX. Those sound a little better for that type of music in my opinion. As for the SNR difference between them all I can't tell to be honest they sound the same. (Note the DX has Solid Capacitors which has a much longer lifespan than this DG and DS. Under serious heat the DX lifespan will be greatly increased compared to the DG and DS but if you have proper cooling you need not worry I have a Cooler Master HAF case)

I must also add that this card comes with the Dolby Headphone Licenses which are great for games and movies. The Xonar DS does not have this. And its more expensive so I highly recommend this card. This card is also 96khz and not 192 like the DS and DX. But I can't tell the difference. I heard the Xonar ST essence by a friend of mine and his tend to sound a little better but nothing very noticeable. And certainly not worth the asking price compared to this DG.

In closing you will not regret this card. Do not let the price fool you, this thing is Audiophile product but ASUS will never tell you this because they also want their Xonar ST to sell.

48 of 59 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Nonfunctional for 5.1 via SPDIF December 12, 2011

By MrP3T3

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have returned this item because I bought it to have a DDL output to my digital only 5.1 speakers. Unfortunately, while it does have a TOSLINK connector, the only option available via SPDIF in the Asus control panel is for PCM encoding, which is only 2 channel. DO NOT buy this if you wish to enable Dolby Digital Live or DTS over the digital connection. This option is just not available in the drivers (and probably the hardware) for this device.