If you have the space, I would buy a used Roland G 800 . You have them for the price of the emu soundcard.
Also very handy as a midi keyboard in case you want to record in realtime in Sonar.
(and I can send you an ins file for G series

)
Most soundcards with synth banks are consumer cards.
I don't know about the expensive emu card mentionned, but all soundblasters have emu chips.
XG is yamaha only as far as I know.
Alternative is ofcourse the software route.
Fred
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Keyboards/Sound Units: Kurzweil 2600S, Roland VR-760, Acces Virus C, Roland G-800, Akai AX60, Minimoog, Machine Drum, Roland R8-M, mediastation x-76