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Find Your Essence
Essence III
Flagship beauty that loves living-room systems,
computers and performance headphones
- Native DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support
- Fully balanced headphone amplifier: Capable of driving headphones in balanced or single ended configuration
- Remote-controlled, relay based stepped attenuator - the ultimate volume control
- Ultra-low jitter via high precision TCXO clock sources and asynchronous USB
- Independent left/right channel power supplies
- Separate boards for analog, digital, and power circuitry to minimize interference
- True balanced design with dual mono AD 1955 DACs
- Premium AD 827SQ and MUSES 02 op-amps deliver profoundly musical audio experience
- Linear power supply with multi-rail toroidal transformer
Essence One MKII Series
True to the original with DSD support
- Native Direct-Stream Digital (DSD) support via DSD over PCM (DoP)
- Top-class headphone amplifier drives up to 600ohm-impedance headphones with a dedicated gain jumper
- Ultra-fidelity 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with true balanced design
- Jitter-free precision clock via asynchronous USB audio
- Linear power supply with toroidal transformer to ensure clean power to all circuits
- 8X symmetrical upsampling technology restores lossless audio
Essence One Series
Create perfect tonal characteristics — just how you want them
- Eleven swappable op-amps for user-tunable tone characteristics
- 8X symmetrical upsampling technology restores lossless audio
- Built-in 600ohm headphone amplifier drives all headphones on the market
- Ultra-high 120dB SNR for the purest sound
- Linear power supply with multi-rail toroidal transformer
- True balanced design with dual mono TI 1795 DACs
Essence STU
Turn your laptop into a high-end Hi-Fi
- Excellent audio quality as inherited from acclaimed Essence ST/STX
- Precision Clock Tuning technology and asynchronous USB transfer ensure jitter-free fidelity
- 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) delivers high definition audio clarity
- Integrated 600ohm headphone amplifier optimizes sound detail with two gain settings
- Dedicated jumper switch allows audio signal being delivered to your power amplifier by-passing volume control
- Three swappable op-amps enable tone character tuning based on personal taste
Essence STX II 7.1
Rediscover your music
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) audio quality inherited from the revolutionary and widely-acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
- Ultra-low jitter from premium TCXO clock source
- Clean and consistent power supply thanks to high-fidelity low-dropout (LDO) regulators and WIMA® capacitors for uncompromising sound
- Top-notch headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm-headphone impedance with additional gain for in-ear monitors (IEMs)
- Exclusive op-amp swap kit includes three op-amps and tool for easy tone tuning
- Celebrated MUSES op-amps deliver true-to-life musicality
- Ultra-fidelity (120dB SNR) 7.1-channel output via the exclusive daughterboard
Essence STX II
Rediscover your music
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) audio quality inherited from the revolutionary and widely-acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
- Ultra-low jitter from premium TCXO clock source
- Clean and consistent power supply thanks to high-fidelity low-dropout (LDO) regulators and WIMA® capacitors for uncompromising sound
- Top-notch headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm-headphone impedance with additional gain for in-ear monitors (IEMs)
- Exclusive op-amp swap kit includes three op-amps and tool for easy tone tuning
- Celebrated MUSES op-amps deliver true-to-life musicality
Essence STX/ST
Turn your PC into a high-end Hi-Fi system
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR
- Built-in headphone amp drives every available headphone with <0.001% distortion
- Nichicon “Fine Gold” capacitors offer great dynamic performance
- Perfectly shielded EMI-free analog output path
- Customize your sound color effortlessly via swappable op-amp socket
- Precision clock tuning technology for ultra-low jitter (Essence STX only)
The Spirit of Essence
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Meticulous
DesignEssence is energized by an eclectic group of visionaries and acoustic engineers who live, breathe and dream audio — just like you. Every product delivers the essence of sound because the Essence design team carefully selects each component and adheres to tolerances that are far more stringent than industry norms.
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Quintessential
PerformanceEssence designs are examined and tested intensively for compatibility, reliability and safety. Our manufacturing process uses state-of-the-art techniques governed by exacting rules to ensure quality and consistency. Finished products undergo an exhaustive screening and calibration regimen that only the very best will pass — so you are assured quintessential performance.
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Profound
MusicalityThe final say is left to the world’s finest audio judges – human ears. The Essence listening panel is made up of opinionated audiophiles, professional musicians and experienced audio engineers. We apply a blind-test approach to determine the purest sonic characteristics. They listen, digest, and decide.
Acclaimed by Masters
"An honest and compelling sound that puts many traditional hi-fi marques to shame!"
No.1 position in Head-Fi.org's users in Computer Audio and Sound Cards categories
"Well made design, rich equipment interfaces. Very comfortable and well-balanced sound."
“Discreet and elegant, hardcore components and an original approach.”
“Asus joins the revolution in a unique way, entering the area reserved for specialized, small manufacturers. Its DACs, both those inexpensive models and the flagship Essence III are unique, as they seem to be fulfilling audiophiles’ wishes. Their functionality is amazing, as is their sound. Bravo for the courage and the consistent pursuit of the goal of high fidelity sound!”
Discover The Essence
What is the essence of sound? It means different things to different people. The one certainty is that there’s always something new and interesting behind the melody — if you know how to listen. To get so much more from your audio, enjoy our ever-evolving collection of advice and listening guides.
