I have a Creative and I love it. I also have a Logitech THX 5.1 sound system, and it works so well with my Creative Audigy 2 ZS.
Even back when I just had my PC hooked into a regular Stereo system, I noticed a tremendous difference between the sound quality of my Audigy and the sound quality of my integrated sound on my old PC. I have nothing negative to say about Creative.
Chris, You are a DJ though, so you know sound better than anybody here, so you probably know best. I will keep an eye on this thread though, and if it turns into a flame war I will have to close it.