Conclusion:
If you are serious enough about sound to realize that the onboard solution you already have just isn't cutting it, the
ASUS Xonar D1 PCI audio card is worth considering. It offers great sound, features that make it appealing for an HTPC or gaming rig, and it won't break the bank.
A search of the Internet found the ASUS Xonar D1 PCI audio card at
Newegg.com for about $90, $65 after a $25 mail-in-rebate. $65 seems like a very attractive price to me, while $90 puts it in the ballpark of other similar cards. Direct competition from the likes of Creative's X-Fi series is of most interest where a similar card will probably set you back $90 or more.
This review compared the Xonar D1 to the Xonar D2X and an onboard HD audio solution. To go up to the D2X you will have to spend an extra $90 or more, while the onboard audio solution will obviously cost you nothing extra. If you have already figured out that an add in card is the answer, the decision to spend twice as much on the D2X might not come down to performance. The D2X does have better specifications that some audio experts might be able to discern, but to me its advantage came in the form of all the cool extras and accessories.
All things considered, the
ASUS Xonar D1 PCI audio card earns the Bigbruin.com "Recommended" award. It offers great sound at a great price, minus some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive models.
Pros:
» High quality sound - a major upgrade over onboard solutions
» Excellent choice for HTPC or gaming systems
» Optical digital audio connection on rear panel
» Software has a slick appearance, and is packed with features
» Expansion brackets for full height or low profile cases
Cons:
» A bit of a learning curve with the software
» Software controls a bit small for HTPC use
» $25 rebate required to make price more attractive
Special thanks to
ASUS for providing the ASUS Xonar D1 PCI Audio Card to Bigbruin.com for review!
