[SOLVED] Sound Issues Common?

I'm in the market for a desktop with Ubuntu installed, and I'm thinking of a Ratel. I've been reading this forum, and it seems that Totem and other apps aren't loud enough - is that correct? I listen to internet streaming radio, it's one of the main things I use my PC for, and the station I listen to streams through Totem.

(I'm specifically concerned about this thread: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=955474&highlight=sound )

Is it only playback of CD's and DVD's that are an issue because of a codec problem? And is it only with the Pangolin? Can I expect streaming radio MP3/ogg vorbis to play okay in a Ratel?

The only sound issues might/will come across is with with HDMI and skype is a little iffy sometimes.

For a radio streamer I would HIGHLY recommend Songbird it has shoutCAST built right in and you get a larger selection than iTunes.

Thanks - that's what I needed to know; I've placed my System76 order. :)

I just want to add, for a future reader, that skype can work well in 8.10 Intrepid Ibex 64-bit using pulseaudio. I have talk through it for more than 4 hours with no sound problems, usually use it for ~2 hours and works perfect.