As to OPL3 functionality, you have a few different options. These are a few that are well tested, commonly available, and inexpensive:
The excellent OPL3LPT should also be mentioned, when talking about OPL3. It goes to the LPT port and has a real YMF262 soundchip in it, and it sounds great.
https://www.serdashop.com/OPL3LPT
I'd say it falls to the 'well tested, commonly available and inexpensive' category.
I'll attach Madbrain's song captured from my OPL3LPT device just so the quality can be assessed easily.
EDIT: This is such an old thread, maybe it's too late. I also think the requirements are too strict (32-bit? As if anyone can truly hear the difference between 16-bit and 32-bit, when I can't always even hear the difference between 8-bit and 16-bit (after all, it's just the 'volume differences', and those are not as easy to hear by human ear), and my captures often have a bit of 'buzz' or other interference sound, which might render the strict comparisons required by the original poster invalid.
However, I thought, "why not?", so I want to include a few songs JUST for fun and comparison, not to actually be anything useful necessarily. I just want to prove that OPL3LPT is a capable and good quality solution for a modern PC owner that wants to drape themselves in velv.. I mean, encompass and immerse themselves in the sweet, natural, real OPL3 sound.
This is an approximately 80 MB ZIP-packet, because the songs are pure WAV files (no compression) to retain as much authenticity and direct OPL3 sound as possible.
The songs included are:
- Duke Nukem 2 Intro
- Wolfenstein 3D Title
- X-Wing Title
- X-Wing Imperial March
- The Secret of Monkey Island Title
- Indiana Jones Title
.. and a few bonus tunes that I just thought are cool, good music or just fun(ny) additions.
Enjoy, if possible! And if not possible, the admin or original poster may feel free to remove the link or edit this post to their liking (within reason).
https://www.sendspace.com/file/a5kh2c
I am using Sendspace, as 80 MB is a bit too big to just attach here, and I didn't want to upload them separately.