Instruction: Answer the given question by extracting information from the supporting document.

Input:
Question: Is this sound card good with the AKG 701 and also with logitech 5.1 speakers?
Document: I had no problems installing this card in my gaming/HTPC rig running Win 7 Pro 64-bit. I use it with a pair of Ultrasone headphones and also have it connected via NVIDIA audio over HDMI to a receiver. It makes my cheap Logitech 5.1 speakers sound better than before. There used to be static/clicking at high volume while using the motherboards onboard audio and now it is silent. No interference from the fan on my video card either.
My Creative card began dropping sound. Casting about for a sound card for my Logitech 5.1 system, I came across this card. I like what I've used from Asus but could not find a good review at the time for it. Trusting on user reviews and very dissatisfied with Creative's lack of user support and driver updates, I gambled and got this card.
I bought this with a pair of AKG 702s for a entry level audiophile experience. I use it for music, movies, and gaming. The optical port works with my old Sony STR K790 5.1 system perfectly, it sounds better than ever. The 2 channel speaker driver makes my old old computer speakers sound way better. And of course the headphone driver makes my AKG 702's sing.
Now there are a number of sound cards that do truly support 5.1 and 7.1 speakers, but you have to actually check the ports on the card to make sure they will work with your speakers.The are only two reasons to buy this card in my opinion.If you own good 2.1 speakers, or if you own good headphones. The sound quality from a pair of speakers or headphones is quite good with this card.
This really brought out the potential of my headphones.I don't recommend getting this unless you have nice speakers or headphones to utilize the cleaner, stronger signal.The ONLY Con I can give is that the ports on the back aren't compatible with the 5.1 speaker system I had (Logitech X-540).Great DAC/Amp combo for the PC Headphone user!
It it worth the 180 bucks? Honestly probably not unless you are an audiophile and want top notch sound out of your quality 2.1 speakers or headphones. I repeat 2.1 speakers. DO NOT buy this card if you are using 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1 speakers! It only supports 2.1 and you will only get sound from two of your speakers.
I am stuck with this card and until I replace my sound system it is useless to me. I am sure it is a great card. ASUS is good and bending the customer over, they came out with a higher priced card that comes with a pony card with 5.1 plugs that will work with this card but you cannot buy the pony card you have to buy the more expensive card.
This is definitely a good buy, but I have been getting strange problems with my BIOS not detecting it properly. Also, it seems to be making weird clicking noises when I switch from headphone to speakers. I never heard that noise before on sound cards, but it doesn't freak out or anything. It could just be switching outputs.The sound is amazing to some extent, but actually, I cannot tell too well compared to my ASUS p77 deluxe integrated sound card.
The sound is good, but I've had it now for three months and the left channel output has stopped working. It has had serious ground looping hum that I settled with a ground removing adapter for the power supply to my studio speakers. This product should have better isolation from ground loops/hum. Also, they don't say it anywhere, but this card requires high power supply and my new Dell has energy saving features that make the card incompatible with my computer.
The Xonar Essence STX makes myMackie Reference Monitors,andGrado Headphonessing. I am so glad I ditched the Logitech 5.1 and X-Fi setup. After 20 years of dealing with consumer grade audio cards, my PC is finally the best sounding near field hi-fi system in my home. Win 7 64 bit install took 5 minutes. Now if only re ripping my music collection to a lossless format would be so quick and easy.
Answer: Great for any output device, just don't use it for recording.  See my review for more details - the one I had and returned had a terrible buzz when using the RCA inputs.