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ASUS Essence 3

FEATURE SUMMARY 

Ultimate audio enjoyment with native Direct Stream Digital (DSD) support

•  Digital Stream Digital (DSD) is an encoding technology at 1 bit representation of the audio waveform, allowing high 

reproduction of the original audio. With native DSD support, audiophiles can enjoy high-fidelity music.   

Top-notch headphone amplifier enables balanced headphones of up to 600ohm impedance 

•  Most headphone amplifiers only support single-end headphones. Essence 3 has unique mini-XLR ports tailored for 

headphone audiophiles who are accustomed to modeling their own balanced headphones. The balanced signals are 

kept in differential from DAC chip to headphone output without being converted to single end and back (a true balanced 

signal), providing best signal clarity and minimized noise interference. It also supports up to 600ohms impedance, 

allowing headphone enthusiasts to enjoy the best of their favorite headphones without any additional amplification 

needed.

Exclusive remote-controlled stepped attenuator ensures precise and convenient adjustments

•  Essence 3 comes with a 24-step attenuator that ensures precise left/right balance at any volume level. Unlike traditional 

designs where the attenuator is operated by hand, it has an Microcontroller Unit (MCU) that directly controls the 

multiple relays, making it completely remote-controllable with precision. 

Toroidal transformer-based multi-rail linear power supply with fully independent noise-free left/right channel power 

delivery 

•  A clean power source is crucial for ensuring minimal supply contamination and consistent power delivery. The toroidal 

transformer comes with a specially designed silicon strip to prevent hysteresis loss. The power supply is also regulated 

such that the left and right channels power sources are independent and minimize the possibility of cross talk and 

interferences. 

Separate boards for analog, digital, and power circuitry minimize interference 

•  Besides separating signal grounds on to different layers with our exclusive hyper ground technology, the boards for 

different signals are physically separated. Even at areas where analog meets digital signals, the signal routings are 

minimized and contained within an area to prevent interferences.  

Fully balanced design with two single-channel DACs  

•  Traditional audio products use one DAC (digital-to-analog converter) chip for both left and right channels. Essence 3 

has dedicated DAC for each channel to achieve a top-notch signal clarity. Based on a dual DAC design, the left and 

right channels will be perfectly balanced.

Hassle-free left/right balance calibration via exclusive software

•  Essence 3 comes with an exclusive software for volume calibration that you can run a simple test of the left/right 

channel balance and perform correction if needed. Most products that come with such tweaking ability require the use 

of additional equipment to determine how unbalanced the system is, making it extremely hard for non-pros to perform 

such task. 

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Summary of Contents for Essence 3

Page 1: ...Essence 3 Hi Fi USB DAC Digital to Anolog Converter User manual ...

Page 2: ...F MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS ITS DIRECTORS OFFICERS EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT SPECIAL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS LOSS OF BUSINESS LOSS OF USE OR DATA INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERRO...

Page 3: ...onality 1 11 Hardware features 1 11 Front Panel 1 11 Rear Panel 1 12 Remote Control 1 13 Connectivity options 1 14 Connecting a desktop PC or laptop using USB 1 14 Connecting an anplifier and passive speaker setup 1 14 Connecting digital audio input devices using AES EBU TOSLINK COA 1 15 Connecting an iPhone iPad iPod Smart Devices using AUX IN 1 15 Connecting an EX IrDA receiver 1 16 Connecting h...

Page 4: ...manufacturer 12 Use only with the cart stand tripod bracket or table specified by the manufacturer or sold with the apparatus When a cart is used use caution when moving the cart apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip over 13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time 14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel Servicing is required when...

Page 5: ...a constantly changes and evolves based on our personal experience the ASUS team constantly evaluates the design segments with different outlook and perspective striving to provide new and better experience for music lovers and audiophiles Being Present Instead of defining hard stoned desired results we believe that sound is about appreciating the present Top grade component is just one tiny part o...

Page 6: ...based multi rail linear power supply with fully independent noise free left right channel power delivery A clean power source is crucial for ensuring minimal supply contamination and consistent power delivery The toroidal transformer comes with a specially designed silicon strip to prevent hysteresis loss The power supply is also regulated such that the left and right channels power sources are in...

Page 7: ...rs with 3 swappable Op Amps LM4562 LME49720 Customizable tone characters with 11 swappable Op Amps focusing on 6 key Op Amps Op Amp Tweaking Kit with additional TI 2132 4pcs and NS4562 2pcs and tweaking tool set Unimagiably heart touching and spacious sound powered by MUSES 01 Op Amp 6 pcs Premium AD 827SQ and MUSES 02 Op Amps Powerful Headphone Amplifier Headphone amplifier for up to 600ohm headp...

Page 8: ...ence 3 and hence a buffer will monitor the data speed such that when the PC clock is firing too fast this is regulated and the data transfer feed is adjusted to slow down This greatly improves the precision of digital audio and provides more detail with less listening fatigue TCXO Clock Source Clock generators are susceptive to heat temperature changes which can impact the stability of audio sourc...

Page 9: ...ect mode allows the use of ASIO or similar function while doing audio playback avoiding any sample rate conversion being done by PC s operating system This feature keeps audio contents of all resolutions being played as its original sample rate without any potential quality loss during sample rate conversion Component Selection ADI AD1955 Supreme DAC with great sound stage at 115 SNR WIMA FKP2 Hig...

Page 10: ... software installation High quality headphones or powered analog speakers Driver installation After connecting the ASUS Essence 3 to your computer using the bundled USB cable install the device driver using the provided CD NOTES Driver installation is only required if you plan to connect the ASUS Essence 3 to a PC or notebook Driver version and the contents of the support CD are subject to change ...

Page 11: ...tures Front Panel USB Digital to Analog Converter Standalone Digital to Analog Converter High end Headphones and Headsets DVD Players AV Receivers Home Theatre Systems Speakers and amplifiers iPhone iPad iPod Laptops Desktops Edit 9 8 7 6 5 11 ...

Page 12: ... 6 Headphone volume control The volume control adjusts the output levels of the headphone jack 7 Headphone output Balanced Connect your high quality headphones headsets with mini XLR left and right connectors The left and right channels are labelled in the right diagram 8 Headphone output Single End Connect your high quality headphones headsets with a 6 3mm connector 9 IR sensor Point your remote ...

Page 13: ...7 TOSLINK Optical Input This port is used to support TOSLINK input audio sources 8 Coaxial COA S PDIF Input This port is for connecting external digital decoders or digital speaker systems home theater sets and AV receivers for outputting digital audio This connection produces loop or pass through unprocessed digital audio 9 USB port This USB port can be used to connect a desktop PC or laptop usin...

Page 14: ...ion Driver Installation Connecting an anplifier and passive speaker setup 1 Connect the amplifier to the Essence 3 using either the unbalanced RCA Phono or balanced XLR output connectors 2 Connect the amplifer to a passive speaker system AUX EX IrDA L R R VR Bypass L USB USB Audio EBU AES COA TOS VOLTAGE ACIN IN on off USB Mini USB B A type connector Desktop PC Laptop Portable AUX EX IrDA L R R VR...

Page 15: ...onnecting an iPhone iPad iPod Smart Devices using AUX IN AUX EX IrDA L R R VR Bypass L USB USB Audio EBU AES COA TOS VOLTAGE ACIN IN on off Option2 Option1 Option3 Digital Outputs AUX EX IrDA L R R VR Bypass L USB USB Audio EBU AES COA TOS VOLTAGE ACIN IN on off iPhone iPad iPod 15 ...

Page 16: ... L USB USB Audio EBU AES COA TOS VOLTAGE ACIN IN on off IR Receiver Option 1 Left and right mini XLR connector Option 2 6 3mm connector High end headphones headsets Connecting an active speaker set directly AUX EX IrDA L R R VR Bypass L USB USB Audio EBU AES COA TOS VOLTAGE ACIN IN on off Active Speaker System 16 ...

Page 17: ... Crystal clock 12MHz for USB 24 576MHz for S PDIF Oscillator 45 1584MHz for 44 1KHz sample rate 49 152MHz for 48KHz sample rate Sample Rate and Resolution Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution USB audio Device 2 0 Digital Input 44 1K 48K 88 2K 96K 176 4K 192KHz 16bit 24bit DSD64 DSD128 USB audio Device 1 0 Digital Input 44 1K 48K 88 2K 96K 16bit 24bit S PDIF Digital Input 44 1K 48K 88 2K 96K ...

Page 18: ... 1 Remote control x 1 6 3mm to 3 5mm stereo adapter x 1 Audio Precision AP test report x 1 USB cable x 1 Power cord x 1 Mini XLR to XLR x 2 XLR to RCA x 1 RCA to RCA x 1 OS Support The Essence One supports Mac OS X 10 8 or later version without any driver needed Specifications are subject to change without notice Specifications 18 ...

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