Im in the middle of getting a new soundcard and headset and stuck between the Asus HDAV 1.3 Deluxe and the Asus Xonar Essence ST. For the headsets my choices are the Audiotechnica ATH AD700, HD555 or the HD595.
Im looking for something that will perform good for gaming (primary use) but also movies and music. Also a kit a that has good price to performance ratio. If you have any suggestions please comment.

A response would be great

xonar cards is a step in the right direction thats for certain.

www.cybergamer.com.au/forums/thread/134056/HeadphonesSound-Cards:-The-dos-and-do-nots/
older thread, but still pretty relevant and helped me out.

ST / 595 would be the best out of what you posted.

595 would be the best.

I have read that thread a hundred times but it doesnt go into finer detail and futher comparison

apart from having terrible 64bit drivers, ask anybody who has one about sound loops

Havent had any of the sound loop issues with the latest drivers. STX is ******* sweet.
for something like 595s, an STX will drive them just fine

anyone have experience with this?

Yeah ive done that mod to my 555s

well im gonna get audio techinca 700 since most decent players have it

Durp.

Might as well gift yourself a disproportionately large ego while you're at it then.