Shop For Asus Xonar D1 Sound Card (Black)

I'M TYPING IN ALL CAPS SO YOU CAN HEAR ME OVER THE BRAVEHEART SOUNDTRACK I AM PLAYING.

This is an absolutely amazing sound card. Unlike the Creative sound card I used to have, there's absolutely no sound coming out of the speakers when there's no sound playing. None. There's just no noise. It's all pure audio goodness.

Also, the Dolby Pro Logic II sound decoding is perfect. It directs all the right Dolby audio channels to the correct speakers, unlike most sound cards which have a "surround effect" feature that either replicates the front 2 channels to all the other speakers or tries to fake it. This is real, Dolby patented surround sound.

I've used a number of audiophile grade sound devices and none of them have reproduced music as well as this card. The highs are crisp, the mids are center stage and the lows are punchy and significant.

I've heard some complaints about problems with Windows 7 drivers. My only problem was that I had to re-install the drivers once. After I did that everything worked perfectly.

The only problem I have experienced with this card is when you're using it in Ubuntu, your computer hangs for a few seconds with each notch you adjust the volume.

Note: If you want Dolby Pro Logic II Surround you have to turn it on and turn off the EAX. Dolby decoding is not on by default.

Use these settings in the Xonar DX Audio Center application:
* Audio Channel: 2 Channels
* Sample Rate: PCM 192KHz
* Analog Out: 5.1 Speakers (or 7.1 if you have 8 channel speakers)
* SPDIF Out: Off
* Check the box for Dolby Pro Logic IIx
* Uncheck the box for 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter

This gives you Dolby decoding for your music and movies without needing a separate tuner.

Next click on the FlexBass button and set it to On. Set the LFE Crossover Frequency so the heavy bass sounds sound like they are coming out of your subwoofer.

Finally, hit the Effect button and set the equalizer sliders to match the type of audio you're listening to, or hit one of the preset buttons.

This would be a very good card for a HTPC, with its half height retention bracket included in the box (you have to order it separately for most sound cards).

Oh and by the way, don't bother paying more for the DX2 card. The only difference is it has a wicked looking plastic cover and a fan, which you probably won't need.Get more detail about Asus Xonar D1 Sound Card (Black).