PCM freezes the box

[root at bofh.bg]

Dear Sirs,
I have problems with my  5.1-Release and 5.1-STABLE boxes: 
they freeze if I play anything different from audio CDs.
The cards are ESS 1938, options pcm is in the kernel.
If I try to run xmms/mpg123/KDE or any other application related
with artsd/esound/audiofile, the machines freeze, leaving not
a single chance to escape to shell and kill the process.
I have been beating my head for more than two weeks without 
success. Please give any hints if possible.
TIA,
DVV