@Jack
I don't think there's much overhead using sndfile.library.
16bit 44.1KHz stereo files aren't that demanding to
stream. As I wrote before, 1411Kbit/s about 140Kb/s.
Compare this to video files and you'll notice this is
no more than 1/4 of the bandwidth. Also the audio is
uncompressed so the CPU hardly has to do anything
when the system uses DMA.
Yes you can use the analog playback if you like.
It doesn't use the CPU at all, that's certainly a plus.
If playCD crashes the CD will continue to play though.
But if you hook up your computer to some serious HiFi
equipment you would probably want to send it out
fully digital. Even on cheaper HiFi systems it's preferable
to output digitally. Unless you have a really really good
soundcard.
Sound output should not be noisier, maybe a problem
with the sound player? Or atleast its plugin/datatype?
Also when controlling the CD drive with applications like
PlayCD you will not have the option of using a equalizer.
The sound is directed to the sound chip bypassing the
system.