If you could find one used, the audiotrak prodigy LT is low pro and would make your life alot easier. Problem is that they were disco'd and extremely hard to find.

I been looking for it today and it's like u said hard to find (just find a 7.1 that is not low p.)

Are you really married to your case? can you do a riser card and fold the card over on top of the mobo and still have it fit in your case?

I did not though about that before don't know if that may work, married to my case may be :P I got a custom case made by veritas forge

What pioneer were you using that didn't give you good results? Model? What did it lack?

I Got the DEQ-7600 from pioneer
I like to listen to Reggaeton/soft music/Rock almost al types of music but mostly reggaeton wich require some bass and I was not able to put bass enough be able to listen clearly what they sing. Don't know exactly how to explain in terms that you and Red GTI may use for this, but I like to listen the music I love clarity in the songs listen to every instrument

How many channels do you need?
I'm running one mono block amp from alpine, and one 4 ch from alpine too for the rear and front components

Budget?
About 100 or 150

Lots of questions for ya, but there are solutions out there, just depends on what you need and if it fits in your budget.