HEY ALL. So, I believe I've found a solution.
I go so frustrated with this, though, that I changed my MEDIA CACHE location to my RAID 0 config that's made up of 10K rpm drives - should be speedy enough. No change in issue. Very frustraited.
I decided to take my own advice and upgrade my sound card, though, and bought one of these yesterday:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TA2870/. Cheapest card with ASIO support (normally $90, for it for $49 refurb). I got it today, installed, and EVERYTHING WORKS. So, my solution to the skipping audio problem was I guess one of just having a sound card that couldn't keep up with all of the tracks / effects I was using.
Now I have ASIO for surround as well!
I wish this was more clearly stated in system requirements!