ASUS Analog Audio Front Panel Modification

[EdMcCauley1959]

My newly purchased ASUS Crosshair X870E Hero Motherboard only has 2 Audio HD Jacks on the Rear Panel. To use 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound, the AAFP (Analog Audio Front Panel) must be utilized for the additional Jacks. My Case has only a single Jack, and the manufacturer does not offer a replacement with 2 Jacks. Due to the curvature of the case, a typical AAFP module will not fit. My current plan is to purchase a 2-Jack module and mount it within the case internal cage, snip the appropriate wires from the current module to the MB Header, and splice in the new Jacks. This will allow the existing Power, Reset, etc. buttons on the front of the case to remain functional.

The onboard MB Audio has specs that meet or exceed the best SoundCards available, so I don't want to purchase one. ASUS brags of Audio Noise Reduction primarily due to the "Gold-Plated Jacks" and "Shielded Wires" on this MB. If I were to use the standard AAFP module, then half of my 8 channels (for 7.1 SS) would lose this important noise reduction.

I'd like to purchase 2 gold-plated HD audio jacks, and Shielded Wires. These items would replace what comes with the AAFP. Can anyone tell me what I need to know regarding the gauge and type of shielded wire I should use? Also, a recommended source for these items.

Thanks for any comments...

Tom

[thm_w]

What amplifier or speakers are you using? If they have an optical, coax, or USB digital input you can use that instead.

Something like this is what you want I assume:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002358230452.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32323403117.html

The onboard MB Audio has specs that meet or exceed the best SoundCards available, so I don't want to purchase one. ASUS brags of Audio Noise Reduction primarily due to the "Gold-Plated Jacks" and "Shielded Wires" on this MB. If I were to use the standard AAFP module, then half of my 8 channels (for 7.1 SS) would lose this important noise reduction.

Mostly marketing BS.

[EdMcCauley1959]

Thanks for the response.

What amplifier or speakers are you using? If they have an optical, coax, or USB digital input you can use that instead.

The amp only has optical which is highly compressed.

Something like this is what you want I assume:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002358230452.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32323403117.html

Yes, but those links are not in English.

The onboard MB Audio has specs that meet or exceed the best SoundCards available, so I don't want to purchase one. ASUS brags of Audio Noise Reduction primarily due to the "Gold-Plated Jacks" and "Shielded Wires" on this MB. If I were to use the standard AAFP module, then half of my 8 channels (for 7.1 SS) would lose this important noise reduction.

Mostly marketing BS.

Agree for the Gold-plated jacks, but disagree re the unshielded wiring.

I'd still like to do the mod. Can you provide any info regarding replacing the existing wire with shielded wire?

[Haenk]

Something like this is what you want I assume:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002358230452.html

Yes, but those links are not in English.

I assume this is what you need. Switch to your desired country or language or currency.
Or pay 20x for the same thing sourced locally - aka "call your dealer". I assume they can talk to you in your favorite language.
You certainly will find the same breakout box on ebay or Amazon.

[magic]

My newly purchased ASUS Crosshair X870E Hero Motherboard only has 2 Audio HD Jacks on the Rear Panel. To use 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound, the AAFP (Analog Audio Front Panel) must be utilized for the additional Jacks.

I wouldn't want a pair of audio cables permanently sticking out of the front of the case and getting in the way. I think my preferred option would be to drill two holes in a PCI bracket and install panel-mount jack sockets there with cables connecting them to the onboard AAFP header.

Shielding on line-level outputs is a gimmick, but it is actually important to ensure no connection between analog ground and the chassis. Applies both to DIY jobs and off the shelf audio panels.

[EdMcCauley1959]

My newly purchased ASUS Crosshair X870E Hero Motherboard only has 2 Audio HD Jacks on the Rear Panel. To use 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound, the AAFP (Analog Audio Front Panel) must be utilized for the additional Jacks.

I wouldn't want a pair of audio cables permanently sticking out of the front of the case and getting in the way. I think my preferred option would be to drill two holes in a PCI bracket and install panel-mount jack sockets there with cables connecting them to the onboard AAFP header.

Can the cables from the HD Jack Sockets be connected directly to the Header? On my Case-mounted Audio Module they are attached to a Circuit Board. I don't see a way to imbed an image, although when I try, the code "attachimg=1" and " attach=1" is imbedded within the message, so I've attached a PNG of my MB Header and Pin names. Can you tell me on which Pins to attach the wires?  Is it as simple as attaching them to the Port 1 and Port 2 wires?

Shielding on line-level outputs is a gimmick

Well, no one seems to do it, so I guess I'll believe it. But, I have been read differently...

[but it is actually important to ensure no connection between analog ground and the chassis. Applies both to DIY jobs and off the shelf audio panels.

Is using the Header Ground Pin acceptable? I've read (of course, it's difficult to know who to believe...) that the Front Modules (AAFP) use the same GRND for Audio and the USB Ports, and that is bad.

[magic]

This shows how standard HD Audio panel is wired (and also older AC97 panels you can ignore). If you don't have jacks with switches I guess you can simply short the sense pins on the AAFP connector, then the PC will think that something is always plugged in.

Shorting AAFP GND with USB GND on the panel is bad practice because currents flowing across motherboard ground traces can cause those two points to be at slightly different voltage on the motherboard, and the exact voltage changes when devices like CPU turn on and off. This causes audible noise, often near 1kHz where hearing is most sensitive. My case's panel had such connection and I modified it because the constant beeping and buzzing was simply annoying.

[EdMcCauley1959]

This shows how standard HD Audio panel is wired (and also older AC97 panels you can ignore). If you don't have jacks with switches I guess you can simply short the sense pins on the AAFP connector, then the PC will think that something is always plugged in.

I will attempt to find Jacks with switches. Failing that, are you saying I should place jumper wires between the *3* Sense Pins? Does the "Presense" pin tell the circuit that a Jack is plugged in? If so, with the Jacks plugged in, is a voltage present on this pin?

Shorting AAFP GND with USB GND on the panel is bad practice because currents flowing across motherboard ground traces can cause those two points to be at slightly different voltage on the motherboard, and the exact voltage changes when devices like CPU turn on and off. This causes audible noise, often near 1kHz where hearing is most sensitive. My case's panel had such connection and I modified it because the constant beeping and buzzing was simply annoying.

Yes, I'm aware that this is bad. Can you describe this modification, so I can duplicate it?

[NiHaoMike]

The amp only has optical which is highly compressed.

Too old to have HDMI?