Yes! The mainboard's chip set has to have a full PCI support so that ASIOdirect can work in a right way. I know that the VIA's chip set doesn't work correct for this choice.

Another point which conquers my mind is: Why do some people think that a sound/audio card for 500 bucks could sound like a super-nova-hyper synth for 5000 bucks?
I think there's absolutely no way for it.
For example: My 'old' Kurzweil K2000RS costed 10.000 DM in the year 1994. My PC costed 400 Euro (about 800 DM) in 2004. I know there is no chance for my PC to approximately sound like my K2000 because of the high quality AD/DA-converters.

But there is a chance that you know this all about and I'm telling you nothing new...

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Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)