Contents
Introduction
Features & Specifications
Design, Build and Software
Performance
Conclusion

Features & Specifications

ASUS Xonar U7 Review

Unlike the Xonar U3, a thumbdrive sized USB DAC meant as an upgrade from integrated audio, the Xonar U7 is a performance grade DAC meant for people desiring quality and finesse. We already know that ASUS is capable of delivering high-quality audio grade performance, with its beautiful Xonar Essence STX internal soundcard. The Xonar U7, while not at the level of the STX, still packs quite a punch found only in high-end sound cards. Here are the headlining features of the Xonar U7:

  • Sample Rate and Resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192KHz @ 16bit/24bit
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 46 KHz
  • Unbalanced Output : 1 Vrms (2.828 Vp-p), Headphone : 1.3 Vrms (3.677 Vp-p)
  • Dedicated mic volume control for instant adjustments right in the heat of gaming action
  • 114dB signal-to-analog ratio (SNR)
  • Dolby Home Theater v4 delivers lively surround
  • Support for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows XP (32bit/64bit)
  • Accessories: S/PDIF adaptor, USB cable, Driver CD, User manual
  • Audio Processor: C-Media 6632A High-Performance Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)
  • Connectivity: 4 x 3.5 mm jack, 2 x RCA (Un-balanced) analog outputs. 1 x 3.5 mm jack analog input. 1 x S/PDIF out digital

Looking closer at the specifications, these are fairly impressive number for a sound card powered off just 5 volts, 500mw of USB power. The Xonar U7 has specifications that are better than many discreet enthusiast sound cards.

For comparison purposes, integrated audio provides upto 90dB of SNR (Signal-to-noise ratio). The U7 features 114dB SNR, which means a cleaner sound with less distortion. The SNR comes from the Cirrus Logic CS4398 2-channel DAC.

Next, lets talk about the C-Media 6632A sound processor. This chipset supports USB Audio Class 2, which means it needs a driver to operate. But that also means that it offers much better DSP effects, 7.1 channel surround, 24bit/192KHz sampling rates and Dolby Home Theatre v4.

The headphone amplifier has adjustable gain settings that will help boost the volume of low sensitivity headphones. While the U7 can work almost perfectly out of the box with ROG headphones, low sensitivity variants also get their fair share of options. In theory, the U7 can handle headphones upto 150 Ohms.
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Sahil Arora
When not being the Editor-in-Chief at iLLGaming or a tech journalist that he is known for, Sahil indulges himself with his pug named Tony. His favorite games are Dota 2, Dark Souls, Deus Ex and DOOM. He is sucker for PC builds and dreams about benchmark numbers in his sleep.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for the detailed review. Can the Xonar U7 work standalone without being plugged into a computer running Windows? Obviously, one would still need to supply it power through the USB port. Ideally, one would configure the Xonar U7 in Windows using the ASUS software, reboot into OSX or Linux, and listen to the audio from there, assuming the Xonar U7 retains the setup parameters. Would that work?

    • Have tried that on my Macbook, didnt work. Surprisingly the device’s volume control knob works, but the sound output is still from the internal sound card of the laptop.

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