Alpha 9 was definitely bad. The download page (http://www.empeg.com/v3alpha) specifically says not to use it.

I use Alpha 8 but don't use the eq much (at all really). The main problems I have are:
- tracks get randomly marked.
- bookmarks are very flaky.
- too may tweak order functions cause hangs at the end of the current track sometimes.

In terms of crashing and general stability, it's pretty good really. Basically it's the only way I can play oggs and also have the cross fade.

Alpha 7 didn't seem to save the running order properly which was hugely annoying for me.