I would, and did get a Santa Cruz. The price is far better, retail or OEM, both are cheaper.
Plus, I no longer trust Creative, they don't delivered drivers, and just assume theirs are perfect, while it causes hell with everyones computers. The 686 problem was not an isolated occurance, it happened with half a dozen older chipsets too, it was definitely Creative's fault. It very well could happen again in the future, I'm avoiding it.
The sound quality is pretty similar, I know the Santa Cruz blows the Live! away easily, never heard the Audigy. The Audigy takes fewer CPU cycles, but the Santa Cruz has better drivers, and I love the versajack on the back of it. I'm not convinced of the Audigy quality yet, as on paper, its still similar to Live! when you get down to it.