I just have one issue with your soon-to-be-MS-DOS computer: the SoundBlaster AWE64 Value. Its on-board MIDI typically sucks and if you like FM Synthesis, don't expect authentic FM sound because the AWE64 does not have true OPL3. There is no Yamaha YMF262 anywhere on the sound card, not as a discrete part nor integrated within another chip. It instead uses the CQM YMF262 clone, which doesn't sound right.
Have a look at these videos of Star Wars X-Wing to compare the CQM YMF262 clone and the real YMF262:
CQM clone from SoundBlaster AWE64 Value model CT4500: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG-p-bvHAHg
Real YMF262 from SoundBlaster Pro 2.0: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9a42Yf11WU
I would personally recommend replacing your AWE64 Value with either a SoundBlaster 16 with a discrete YMF262, the YMF289(low-power version of the YMF262) or CT1747 combo YMF262/ISA interface chip(some SoundBlaster 16s use the CQM YMF262 clone, and those are instantly recognizable since no chip will say OPL or Yamaha), a SoundBlaster Pro 2.0 a Yamaha YMF719(this has a YMF262 integrated within the YMF719 chip) or an OPTi 82C929A. These all have true OPL3 FM Synthesis, but there are some 82C929As with cloned YMF262s. It doesn't matter if you get an 82C929A with a real YMF262 or a clone, the clone sounds just as good and with better clarity than the real YMF262. Do take note that if you set the volume of the FM Synthesis too loud in the mixer settings on an 82C929A with a real YMF262, the sound will distort.
Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F2uU3K0Ps0
Or if you want something closer to true OPL3 without spending too much money, you can get an ESS AudioDrive sound card. Those use ESS' ESFM YMF262 clone, which is one of the most accurate cloned YMF262s you can find. It just has one minor problem with outputting white noise, but aside from that, it sounds pretty damn close to a real YMF262(the high frequencies are a little more pronounced on the ESFM than on a real YMF262).
Another little note: if you get a SoundBlaster Pro 2.0, I will make note of this: it sounds better on cheap speakers because the quality of the digital sound is pretty poor compared to most of the sound cards I've used. The ESS AudioDrive is very similar in that regard, since, while the quality is a little bit better than the SoundBlaster Pro 2.0, the digital sound is VERY muffled. However, the AudioDrive will work with MIDI daughterboards, something the SoundBlaster Pro 2.0 will not work with(MIDI daughterboards are typically cheaper than external MIDI devices). The best digital sound I've heard comes from any SoundBlaster post-SoundBlaster Pro 2.0 and the OPTi 82C929A(in some DOS games, the pitch of the digital sound is slightly higher on the 82C929A for some reason). The 82C929A also supports MIDI daughterboards.
Or you can get an ISA MIDI-based sound card like the Ensoniq Soundscape. I really like mine; VERY nice sound. There are several different models of Soundscape to choose from:
-Original Soundscape(there seem to be 2 different variants of this one with different wavesets)
-Soundscape Elite
-Soundscape Opus
-Soundscape Vivo
The older Soundscapes generally sound best(original Soundscape and Soundscape Elite). If you want to hear different samples of the 4 types of Soundscape, you can take a look at Swaaye's sound card recordings page: http://www.swaaye.com/retro/
Or you can get an Ensoniq AudioPCI. This is a PCI-based sound card with some really nice MIDI. They're more readily available and cheaper than the Soundscape, but the Soundscape generally has better sound quality. Or you can get one of many Creative variants: SoundBlaster 16 PCI, SoundBlaster PCI64, SoundBlaster PCI128, SoundBlaster Vibra128, etc.
