AC97 sucks. It mandates a 48KHz sample rate whereas CDs are 44.1KHz, thus forcing resampling and resulting in artifacts.

In theory a good (non-AC97) soundcard would compare to the empeg. Prosumer soundcards such as those from M-Audio are excellent, but pricey. You'd still have to deal with all the other issues that Tony mentioned though.
_________________________
Mk2a 60GB Blue. Serial 030102962 sig.mp3: File Format not Valid.