On soundcards, typically each pair of channels use opamps to amplify the sound. Each model opamp uses different techniques to do so, and therefor sounds differently. It's been a while since I looked at the card, but upon looking it up, it uses six ADA4850 opamps. It must have been another card I was looking at that had only two high-end opamps on the front channels....
A card that did catch my eye (although I don't know if it has "direct wire" or compatable hw/sw) is the Asus Xonar
http://techgage.com/print/asus_xonar_d2_sound_card
If all you spent is $75, then give the card a try. That's less than 1/2 off retail so a darn good deal. Be sure to post your impressions.