Maemo is actually pretty much like desktop Linux regarding sound. There are only a few differences:
- PulseAudio runs in system mode
- PulseAudio is somewhat-patched and the protocol is partially incompatible with newer PulseAudio client libraries (was this fixed in SSU?)

You are also overrating the special Nokia codecs effect on battery life -- http://tuomas.kulve.fi/blog/2009/11/...on-ogg-vs-mp3/