[Stian]

If quartz.dll is used then the playback of mp3 files should work, are you sure this crash is related to sound playback and not some gfx driver issue?

Anyhow - you could try installing for instance AC3 filter to play mp3 instead of the default - I'm using it now with no problems...
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/formats/ac3.shtml

Also you could try FFDShow or a third-party mp3-filter:
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/formats/ffdshow.shtml
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/formats/mp3.shtml

S.