14 DAY TRIAL // Of all USB-connected devices, headphone amplifiers are among the ones which sell the least, usually because desktop PCs have some similar functions pre-built. Many laptops don't, however, and it's owners of that type of PC that ASUS is targeting now.
Many current-generation laptops, and indeed even older ones, have more than decent audio support. However, this aspect leaves a lot to be desired for most mid-range models and lower.
Even some high-end products might have lackluster sound, especially when you want to listen to clear and crisp music or game sounds on your 5.1 or 7.1 channel headphones.
To assuage the needs of customers who may find themselves disappointed with their sound options, ASUS has created the Xonar U3 Plus Digital-to-Analog Converter.
The ASUS Xonar U3 Plus Pocket-Sized USB DAC with Headphone Amp
Digital sound is nice and all, but some people appreciate the difference between it and analog. For those people, the Xonar U3 Plus exists.
Technically, it's a scaled-down version of the Xonar U5 and gaming-orientated U7 Echelon Edition with Sonic Radar.
It has a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 100dB, Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.005% (-110dB). A frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 KHz, headphone impedance optimized for 32~150Ω, and up to 48KHz @ 16bit sample rate and resolution.
Moreover, there are several Karaoke functions (music pitch-shifting, vocal cancellation, and microphone echo effects with stereo mix recording).
What stands out even more, though, is a dedicated 10-band equalizer featuring five pre-set audio modes (Rock, Rock Pro, Ballad, Ballad Pro, and Special).
Add to that the extremely-low latency microphone loop and you can be sure that your headphones will make you feel as if you're in whatever world you're seeing on screen, or imagining. Or something. ASUS was definitely effusive in its press release.
The high frequency sounds like explosions and footsteps in movies or games will sound clearly if nothing else. Enhancing treble and bass tends to achieve that regardless of whatever else an audio accessory is capable of doing, which in this case is definitely a decent list, as we've seen.
As for connectivity, there is one 3.5 mm analog output jack, one 3.5 mm Line-in / Mic-in combo, and one S/PDIF output with analog out.
Availability and pricing
Sadly, ASUS decided that the estimated time of arrival of the Xonar U3 Plus DAC with headphones AMP wasn't important enough to include in the press release. The price has been kept a secret as well.
