I left him feedback, but I just wanted to thank Rob for featuring the Asus one on a more computer-oriented website, most of which do not feature proper audiophile articles or reviews. Even [H] only did a Beats review recently, and should've slammed them with a "WORST OF" award instead of just putting their dissatisfaction in the conclusion.
Also, to Rob and anyone else reading:
Would you recommend keeping a separate audiocard such as an Asus Essence ST to go along with the Essence ONE? I was considering selling my Essence ST to fund better headphones and an Essence ONE, but I got it at such a great price ($120 with extra opamps, shipped) that I hate to sell it. I was also wanting to move to 7.1 physical surround someday, and I thought the extension card for the Essence ST would be an easy way of doing that (but I have no experience with surround so I don't know how good the extension card's quality would be).
To be honest, I don't play most of the newer FPSers except TF2 -- they pale in comparison to a good GoldenEye or Perfect Dark session -- and since I've been gaming competitively without surround for the past 20 years I can rape pretty much anyone in terms of skill using a two-channel audio setup, a 60hz S-IPS monitor, non-mechanical keyboard, and a Logitech laser mouse. (I'd still be using a Sony fw900 if it weren't too heavy for the beautiful glass desk I got a year ago -_-)