Taiwan-based Asus has just added a new model to its Xonar series of sound cards. Dubbed Xonar Essence STX, the card has a PCI-Express x1 interface, an EMI shield stamped with a gold-plated Tiger Chime totem and is equipped with the AV100 high-definition sound processor.

The Essence STX can brag with its 124 dB SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) / 110 dB for headphones output, a Burr-Brown PCM 1792A Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC) that convert audio signals at 127dB signal-to-noise ratios, Nichicon "Fine Gold" capacitors, a built-in headphone amplifier that can provide an impedance of 32 to 600Ω, and the support for multiple Dolby technologies like Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker and Dolby Pro-Logic II.

Seen below, the Xonar Essence STX is expected to reach stores later this month.