Description:

An xmms output plugin that uses the ao audio output library. The great
benefit of this is that, whether your sound system is OSS, ALSA, ESD, or
aRts, the sound will work. You can (pressing stop in-between) switch among
those, and the plugin will adapt. It is ideal for users who switch regularly
between desktop environments or for admins who are tired of fielding "why
doesn't xmms-esd work in KDE?" questions.

xmms-ao should support most effect plugins. As this plugin outputs to a
generic library, an output plugin which operates closer to the actual output
system may be preferable in some cases.