diff --git a/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.cpp b/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.cpp
index 622d8fc367..55f83ff20a 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "precompiled.h"
 
 #include "SoundManager.h"
-
 #include "items/CBufferItem.h"
 #include "items/CSoundItem.h"
 #include "items/CStreamItem.h"
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@
 #include "ps/XMB/XMBStorage.h"
 #include "ps/XML/Xeromyces.h"
 #include "soundmanager/ISoundManager.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 #include "soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h"
 #include "soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.h"
 
@@ -514,21 +513,17 @@ void CSoundManager::SetUIGain(float gain)
 
 ISoundItem* CSoundManager::LoadItem(const VfsPath& itemPath)
 {
-	AL_CHECK;
+	if (!m_Enabled || itemPath.empty())
+		return nullptr;
 
-	if (m_Enabled)
-	{
-		CSoundData* itemData = CSoundData::SoundDataFromFile(itemPath);
+	COggData* itemData{this->GetSoundDataFromFile(itemPath)};
+	if (!itemData)
+		return nullptr;
 
-		AL_CHECK;
-		if (itemData)
-			return CSoundManager::ItemForData(itemData);
-	}
-
-	return NULL;
+	return ItemForData(itemData);
 }
 
-ISoundItem* CSoundManager::ItemForData(CSoundData* itemData)
+ISoundItem* CSoundManager::ItemForData(COggData* itemData)
 {
 	AL_CHECK;
 	ISoundItem* answer = NULL;
@@ -602,14 +597,12 @@ void CSoundManager::IdleTask()
 	}
 }
 
-ISoundItem*	CSoundManager::ItemForEntity(entity_id_t /*source*/, CSoundData* sndData)
+ISoundItem*	CSoundManager::ItemForEntity(entity_id_t /*source*/, COggData* sndData)
 {
-	ISoundItem* currentItem = NULL;
+	if (!m_Enabled)
+		return nullptr;
 
-	if (m_Enabled)
-		currentItem = ItemForData(sndData);
-
-	return currentItem;
+	return ItemForData(sndData);
 }
 
 
@@ -868,6 +861,21 @@ CStr8 CSoundManager::GetSoundCardNames() const
 	return m_SoundCardNames;
 }
 
+COggData* CSoundManager::GetSoundDataFromFile(const VfsPath& itemPath)
+{
+	try
+	{
+		const std::string key = itemPath.string8();
+		auto [it, inserted] = m_OggDataCache.try_emplace(key, itemPath);
+		return &it->second;
+	}
+	catch (OggDataError& e)
+	{
+		LOGERROR("Failed to load sound data from '%s': %s", itemPath.string8(), e.what());
+		return nullptr;
+	}
+}
+
 #else // CONFIG2_AUDIO
 
 void ISoundManager::CreateSoundManager(){}
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.h b/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.h
index e652815809..d191819c6f 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/SoundManager.h
@@ -34,8 +34,11 @@
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <AL/alc.h>
 #include <map>
+#include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
+#include <optional>
 #include <string>
+#include <unordered_map>
 #include <vector>
 
 class CSoundData;
@@ -100,8 +103,8 @@ public:
 	void StartWorker();
 
 	ISoundItem* LoadItem(const VfsPath& itemPath);
-	ISoundItem* ItemForData(CSoundData* itemData);
-	ISoundItem* ItemForEntity(entity_id_t source, CSoundData* sndData);
+	ISoundItem* ItemForData(COggData* itemData);
+	ISoundItem* ItemForEntity(entity_id_t source, COggData* sndData);
 
 	Status ReloadChangedFiles(const VfsPath& path);
 
@@ -123,7 +126,6 @@ public:
 
 	ALuint GetALSource(ISoundItem* anItem);
 	void ReleaseALSource(ALuint theSource);
-	ISoundItem* ItemFromData(CSoundData* itemData);
 
 	ISoundItem* ItemFromWAV(VfsPath& fname);
 	ISoundItem* ItemFromOgg(VfsPath& fname);
@@ -162,12 +164,16 @@ public:
 	void SetActionGain(float gain);
 	void SetUIGain(float gain);
 
+	COggData* GetSoundDataFromFile(const VfsPath& itemPath);
 protected:
 	void InitListener();
 	Status AlcInit();
 	void SetMusicItem(ISoundItem* anItem);
 
 private:
+	using DataMap = std::unordered_map<std::string, COggData>;
+	DataMap m_OggDataCache{};
+
 	CSoundManager(CSoundManager* /*other*/){};
 };
 
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.cpp b/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.cpp
index 4d960eaf39..1ec2a0a53d 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.cpp
@@ -23,13 +23,14 @@
 
 #include "lib/status.h"
 #include "lib/types.h"
-#include "ps/CLogger.h"
 #include "ps/Filesystem.h"
 #include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
 #include "soundmanager/data/ogg.h"
 
+#include <AL/al.h>
 #include <algorithm>
-#include <cstddef>
+#include <fmt/format.h>
+#include <stdexcept>
 #include <span>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -41,9 +42,33 @@
 */
 constexpr int OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_SIZE = 98304;
 
-COggData::COggData()
+COggData::COggData(const VfsPath& itemPath)
 	: m_Format(0), m_Frequency(0), m_OneShot(false), m_BuffersCount(0)
 {
+	if (OpenOggNonstream(g_VFS, itemPath, m_Stream) != INFO::OK)
+		throw new OggDataError("Can't open Ogg file");
+
+	m_FileFinished = false;
+
+	SetFormatAndFreq(m_Stream->Format(), m_Stream->SamplingRate());
+	m_FileName = itemPath;
+
+	AL_CHECK;
+	alGenBuffers(m_Buffer.size(), m_Buffer.data());
+
+	ALenum err{alGetError()};
+	if (err != AL_NO_ERROR)
+		throw new OggDataError(fmt::format("Failed to create initial buffer. OpenAL error: {}", alGetString(err)));
+
+	m_BuffersCount = FetchDataIntoBuffer(m_Buffer.size(), m_Buffer.data());
+	if (!m_FileFinished)
+		return;
+
+	m_OneShot = true;
+	if (m_BuffersCount < OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_COUNT)
+		alDeleteBuffers(OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_COUNT - m_BuffersCount, &m_Buffer.at(m_BuffersCount));
+
+	AL_CHECK;
 }
 
 COggData::~COggData()
@@ -67,38 +92,6 @@ bool COggData::IsStereo()
 	return m_Format == AL_FORMAT_STEREO16;
 }
 
-bool COggData::InitOggFile(const VfsPath& itemPath)
-{
-	if (OpenOggNonstream(g_VFS, itemPath, m_Stream) != INFO::OK)
-		return false;
-
-	m_FileFinished = false;
-
-	SetFormatAndFreq(m_Stream->Format(), m_Stream->SamplingRate());
-	SetFileName(itemPath);
-
-	AL_CHECK;
-	alGenBuffers(m_Buffer.size(), m_Buffer.data());
-
-	ALenum err{alGetError()};
-	if (err != AL_NO_ERROR)
-	{
-		LOGERROR("Failed to create initial buffer. OpenAL error: %s\n", alGetString(err));
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	m_BuffersCount = FetchDataIntoBuffer(m_Buffer.size(), m_Buffer.data());
-	if (m_FileFinished)
-	{
-		m_OneShot = true;
-		if (m_BuffersCount < OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_COUNT)
-			alDeleteBuffers(OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_COUNT - m_BuffersCount, &m_Buffer.at(m_BuffersCount));
-	}
-	AL_CHECK;
-
-	return true;
-}
-
 ALsizei COggData::GetBufferCount()
 {
 	return m_BuffersCount;
@@ -149,5 +142,4 @@ ALuint* COggData::GetBufferPtr()
 {
 	return m_Buffer.data();
 }
-
 #endif // CONFIG2_AUDIO
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.h b/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.h
index 23e0eef13f..c2d09f1b13 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/data/OggData.h
@@ -23,32 +23,43 @@
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
 
 #include "ogg.h"
-#include "SoundData.h"
 
 #include "lib/file/vfs/vfs_path.h"
+#include "lib/path.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <array>
+#include <string>
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 
 /*
 * 50 buffers of 98304 bytes each gives us 4.9 seconds of audio, which is a good amount to have buffered at once.
 */
 constexpr int OGG_DEFAULT_BUFFER_COUNT = 50;
 
-class COggData final : public CSoundData
+struct OggDataError : std::runtime_error
+{
+	using std::runtime_error::runtime_error;
+};
+
+class COggData
 {
 public:
-	COggData();
+	COggData(const VfsPath& itemPath);
 	~COggData();
-
-	bool InitOggFile(const VfsPath& itemPath);
 	bool IsFileFinished();
-	bool IsOneShot() override;
-	bool IsStereo() override;
+	bool IsOneShot();
+	bool IsStereo();
 
 	int FetchDataIntoBuffer(int count, ALuint* buffers);
 	void ResetFile();
 
+	int GetBufferCount();
+	ALuint GetBuffer();
+	ALuint* GetBufferPtr();
+
+	Path m_FileName;
 private:
 	ALuint m_Format;
 	ALsizei m_Frequency;
@@ -60,9 +71,6 @@ protected:
 	int m_BuffersCount;
 
 	void SetFormatAndFreq(ALenum form, ALsizei freq);
-	int GetBufferCount() override;
-	unsigned int GetBuffer() override;
-	unsigned int* GetBufferPtr() override;
 };
 
 #endif // CONFIG2_AUDIO
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.cpp b/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 3997ef2298..0000000000
--- a/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,152 +0,0 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
- * This file is part of 0 A.D.
- *
- * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
- * (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * 0 A.D. is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
- * along with 0 A.D.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-#include "precompiled.h"
-
-#include "SoundData.h"
-#include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
-
-#if CONFIG2_AUDIO
-
-#include "ps/CLogger.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
-
-#include <AL/al.h>
-#include <cstddef>
-#include <utility>
-
-DataMap CSoundData::sSoundData;
-
-CSoundData::CSoundData()
-	: m_ALBuffer(0), m_RetentionCount(0)
-{
-}
-
-CSoundData::~CSoundData()
-{
-	AL_CHECK;
-	if (m_ALBuffer != 0)
-		alDeleteBuffers(1, &m_ALBuffer);
-	m_ALBuffer = 0;
-	AL_CHECK;
-}
-
-void CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(CSoundData* theData)
-{
-	DataMap::iterator itemFind;
-
-	if (theData->DecrementCount())
-	{
-		if ((itemFind = CSoundData::sSoundData.find( theData->GetFileName().string() )) != CSoundData::sSoundData.end())
-		{
-			CSoundData::sSoundData.erase(itemFind);
-		}
-		delete theData;
-	}
-}
-
-CSoundData* CSoundData::SoundDataFromFile(const VfsPath& itemPath)
-{
-	Path fExt = itemPath.Extension();
-	DataMap::iterator itemFind;
-	CSoundData* answer = NULL;
-
-	if ((itemFind = CSoundData::sSoundData.find(itemPath.string())) != CSoundData::sSoundData.end())
-	{
-		answer = itemFind->second;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-	  if (fExt == ".ogg")
-			answer = SoundDataFromOgg(itemPath);
-
-		if (answer && answer->IsOneShot())
-		{
-			CSoundData::sSoundData[itemPath.string()] = answer;
-		}
-
-	}
-
-	return answer;
-}
-
-bool CSoundData::IsOneShot()
-{
-	return true;
-}
-
-
-CSoundData* CSoundData::SoundDataFromOgg(const VfsPath& itemPath)
-{
-	COggData* oggAnswer = new COggData();
-
-	if (!oggAnswer->InitOggFile(itemPath))
-	{
-		LOGERROR("could not initialize ogg data at %s", itemPath.string8());
-		delete oggAnswer;
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	return oggAnswer;
-}
-
-int CSoundData::GetBufferCount()
-{
-	return 1;
-}
-
-const Path& CSoundData::GetFileName()
-{
-	return m_FileName;
-}
-
-void CSoundData::SetFileName(const Path& aName)
-{
-	m_FileName = aName;
-}
-
-CSoundData* CSoundData::IncrementCount()
-{
-	m_RetentionCount++;
-	return this;
-}
-
-bool CSoundData::DecrementCount()
-{
-	m_RetentionCount--;
-
-	return (m_RetentionCount <= 0);
-}
-
-unsigned int CSoundData::GetBuffer()
-{
-	return m_ALBuffer;
-}
-
-unsigned int* CSoundData::GetBufferPtr()
-{
-	return &m_ALBuffer;
-}
-
-bool CSoundData::IsStereo()
-{
-	return false;
-}
-
-#endif // CONFIG2_AUDIO
-
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.h b/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 87d0592a1b..0000000000
--- a/source/soundmanager/data/SoundData.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,71 +0,0 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
- * This file is part of 0 A.D.
- *
- * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
- * the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
- * (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * 0 A.D. is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
- * along with 0 A.D.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-#ifndef INCLUDED_SOUNDDATA_H
-#define INCLUDED_SOUNDDATA_H
-
-#include "lib/config2.h"
-
-#if CONFIG2_AUDIO
-
-#include "lib/file/vfs/vfs_path.h"
-#include "lib/path.h"
-
-#include <map>
-#include <string>
-
-class CSoundData;
-typedef std::map<std::wstring, CSoundData*> DataMap;
-
-
-class CSoundData
-{
-public:
-	static CSoundData* SoundDataFromFile(const VfsPath& itemPath);
-	static CSoundData* SoundDataFromOgg(const VfsPath& itemPath);
-
-	static void ReleaseSoundData(CSoundData* theData);
-
-	CSoundData();
-	virtual ~CSoundData();
-
-	CSoundData* IncrementCount();
-	bool DecrementCount();
-	virtual bool IsOneShot();
-	virtual bool IsStereo();
-
-
-	virtual unsigned int GetBuffer();
-	virtual int GetBufferCount();
-	virtual const Path& GetFileName();
-	virtual void SetFileName(const Path& aName);
-
-	virtual unsigned int* GetBufferPtr();
-
-protected:
-	static DataMap sSoundData;
-
-	unsigned int m_ALBuffer;
-	int m_RetentionCount;
-	Path m_FileName;
-
-};
-
-#endif // CONFIG2_AUDIO
-
-#endif // INCLUDED_SOUNDDATA_H
-
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.cpp b/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.cpp
index a3ec9706fa..a818e1e58f 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.cpp
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@
 
 #include "soundmanager/ISoundManager.h"
 #include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <mutex>
 
-CBufferItem::CBufferItem(CSoundData* sndData)
+CBufferItem::CBufferItem(COggData* sndData)
 {
 	ResetVars();
 	if (InitOpenAL())
@@ -106,24 +106,15 @@ bool CBufferItem::IdleTask()
 	return true;
 }
 
-void CBufferItem::Attach(CSoundData* itemData)
+void CBufferItem::Attach(COggData* itemData)
 {
-	if ( m_ALSource == 0 )
+	if (!m_ALSource || !itemData)
 		return;
 
 	AL_CHECK;
-	if (m_SoundData != NULL)
-	{
-		CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(m_SoundData);
-		m_SoundData = 0;
-	}
+	m_SoundData = itemData;
+	alSourceQueueBuffers(m_ALSource, m_SoundData->GetBufferCount(), m_SoundData->GetBufferPtr());
 	AL_CHECK;
-	if (itemData != NULL)
-	{
-		m_SoundData = itemData->IncrementCount();
-		alSourceQueueBuffers(m_ALSource, m_SoundData->GetBufferCount(),(const ALuint *) m_SoundData->GetBufferPtr());
-		AL_CHECK;
-	}
 }
 
 void CBufferItem::SetLooping(bool loops)
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.h b/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.h
index 8fd55b48e6..ea9bccf867 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CBufferItem.h
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ class CSoundData;
 class CBufferItem : public CSoundBase
 {
 public:
-  CBufferItem(CSoundData* sndData);
+  CBufferItem(COggData* sndData);
   virtual ~CBufferItem();
 
   virtual void SetLooping(bool loops);
   virtual bool IdleTask();
 
-  virtual void Attach(CSoundData* itemData);
+  virtual void Attach(COggData* itemData);
 
 protected:
   void ReleaseOpenALBuffer();
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.cpp b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.cpp
index 3bf47f57d7..236f913caf 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 #include "maths/Vector3D.h"
 #include "soundmanager/ISoundManager.h"
 #include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
@@ -52,23 +52,15 @@ void CSoundBase::ReleaseOpenAL()
 		AL_CHECK;
 		m_ALSource = 0;
 	}
-	if (m_SoundData != 0)
-	{
-		AL_CHECK;
-		CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(m_SoundData);
-		AL_CHECK;
-		m_SoundData = 0;
-	}
 }
 
-void CSoundBase::Attach(CSoundData* /*itemData*/)
+void CSoundBase::Attach(COggData*)
 {
 }
 
 void CSoundBase::ResetVars()
 {
 	m_ALSource = 0;
-	m_SoundData = 0;
 	m_LastPlay = false;
 	m_Looping = false;
 	m_StartFadeTime = 0;
@@ -365,7 +357,7 @@ void CSoundBase::Stop()
 const Path CSoundBase::GetName()
 {
 	if (m_SoundData)
-		return m_SoundData->GetFileName();
+		return m_SoundData->m_FileName;
 
 	return Path();
 }
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.h b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.h
index 04720cbc10..dec4227def 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundBase.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
 
-#include "lib/file/vfs/vfs_path.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 #include "soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class CSoundBase : public ISoundItem
 protected:
 
 	ALuint m_ALSource;
-	CSoundData* m_SoundData;
+	COggData* m_SoundData;
 
 	bool m_LastPlay;
 	bool m_Looping;
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public:
 
 	virtual void SetLooping(bool loops);
 	virtual bool IdleTask();
-	virtual void Attach(CSoundData* itemData);
+	virtual void Attach(COggData* itemData);
 
 protected:
 
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.cpp b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.cpp
index d7fedf1ed7..7872197d75 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
 
 #include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <cstddef>
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ CSoundItem::CSoundItem()
 	ResetVars();
 }
 
-CSoundItem::CSoundItem(CSoundData* sndData)
+CSoundItem::CSoundItem(COggData* sndData)
 {
 	ResetVars();
 	if (InitOpenAL())
@@ -65,24 +65,18 @@ bool CSoundItem::IdleTask()
 	return true;
 }
 
-void CSoundItem::Attach(CSoundData* itemData)
+void CSoundItem::Attach(COggData* itemData)
 {
-	if (m_SoundData != NULL)
-	{
-		CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(m_SoundData);
-		m_SoundData = 0;
-	}
+	if (!itemData)
+		return;
 
-	if (itemData != NULL)
-	{
-		AL_CHECK;
-		alSourcei(m_ALSource, AL_BUFFER, 0);
-		AL_CHECK;
-		m_SoundData = itemData->IncrementCount();
-		alSourcei(m_ALSource, AL_BUFFER, m_SoundData->GetBuffer());
+	AL_CHECK;
+	alSourcei(m_ALSource, AL_BUFFER, 0);
+	AL_CHECK;
+	m_SoundData = itemData;
+	alSourcei(m_ALSource, AL_BUFFER, m_SoundData->GetBuffer());
 
-		AL_CHECK;
-	}
+	AL_CHECK;
 }
 
 #endif // CONFIG2_AUDIO
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.h b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.h
index 36657f0a40..4cbc71bbc5 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CSoundItem.h
@@ -24,16 +24,16 @@
 
 #include "CSoundBase.h"
 
-class CSoundData;
+class COggData;
 
 class CSoundItem : public CSoundBase
 {
 public:
   CSoundItem();
-  CSoundItem(CSoundData* sndData);
+  CSoundItem(COggData* sndData);
   virtual ~CSoundItem();
 
-  void Attach(CSoundData* itemData);
+  void Attach(COggData* itemData);
   bool IdleTask();
 };
 
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.cpp b/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.cpp
index 309a627705..569a126cf1 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.cpp
@@ -24,12 +24,11 @@
 #include "soundmanager/ISoundManager.h"
 #include "soundmanager/SoundManager.h"
 #include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <cstddef>
 
-CStreamItem::CStreamItem(CSoundData* sndData)
+CStreamItem::CStreamItem(COggData* sndData)
 {
 	ResetVars();
 	if (InitOpenAL())
@@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ bool CStreamItem::IdleTask()
 	if (m_SoundData == nullptr)
 		return true;
 
-	COggData* theData = (COggData*)m_SoundData;
+	COggData* theData{static_cast<COggData*>(m_SoundData)};
 
 	if (!theData->IsFileFinished())
 	{
@@ -118,20 +117,14 @@ bool CStreamItem::IdleTask()
 	return true;
 }
 
-void CStreamItem::Attach(CSoundData* itemData)
+void CStreamItem::Attach(COggData* itemData)
 {
-	if (m_SoundData != NULL)
-	{
-		CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(m_SoundData);
-		m_SoundData = 0;
-	}
+	if (!itemData)
+		return;
 
-	if (itemData != NULL)
-	{
-		m_SoundData = itemData->IncrementCount();
-		alSourceQueueBuffers(m_ALSource, m_SoundData->GetBufferCount(), (const ALuint *)m_SoundData->GetBufferPtr());
-		AL_CHECK;
-	}
+	m_SoundData = itemData;
+	alSourceQueueBuffers(m_ALSource, m_SoundData->GetBufferCount(), m_SoundData->GetBufferPtr());
+	AL_CHECK;
 }
 
 void CStreamItem::SetLooping(bool loops)
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.h b/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.h
index a66cd5f51a..62defd4b58 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/CStreamItem.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
 
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 #include "CSoundBase.h"
 
 class CSoundData;
@@ -29,12 +30,12 @@ class CSoundData;
 class CStreamItem : public CSoundBase
 {
 public:
-  CStreamItem(CSoundData* sndData);
+  CStreamItem(COggData* sndData);
   virtual ~CStreamItem();
 
   virtual void SetLooping(bool loops);
   virtual bool IdleTask();
-  virtual void Attach(CSoundData* itemData);
+  virtual void Attach(COggData* itemData);
 
 protected:
   void ReleaseOpenALStream();
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h b/source/soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h
index 4ed339c884..cad2217cb3 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/items/ISoundItem.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2021 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 #include "maths/Vector3D.h"
 #include "ps/CStr.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 class ISoundItem
 {
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public:
 	virtual void Play() = 0;
 	virtual void Stop() = 0;
 
-	virtual void Attach(CSoundData* itemData) = 0;
+	virtual void Attach(COggData* itemData) = 0;
 
 	virtual void EnsurePlay() = 0;
 
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.cpp b/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.cpp
index 809eca59b2..28bbcf5728 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.cpp
+++ b/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ extern CGame *g_Game;
 #include "ps/XMB/XMBData.h"
 #include "scriptinterface/ScriptInterface.h"
 #include "soundmanager/ISoundManager.h"
-#include "soundmanager/data/SoundData.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <cmath>
@@ -137,12 +137,6 @@ CSoundGroup::CSoundGroup(const VfsPath& pathnameXML)
 	LoadSoundGroup(pathnameXML);
 }
 
-CSoundGroup::~CSoundGroup()
-{
-	// clean up all the handles from this group.
-	ReleaseGroup();
-}
-
 float CSoundGroup::RadiansOffCenter([[maybe_unused]] const CVector3D& position,
 	[[maybe_unused]] bool& onScreen, [[maybe_unused]] float& itemRollOff)
 {
@@ -214,7 +208,7 @@ void CSoundGroup::UploadPropertiesAndPlay([[maybe_unused]] size_t index,
 	if (m_SoundGroups.size() <= index)
 		return;
 
-	CSoundData* sndData = m_SoundGroups[index];
+	COggData* sndData = m_SoundGroups.at(index);
 	if (!sndData)
 		return;
 
@@ -231,7 +225,7 @@ void CSoundGroup::UploadPropertiesAndPlay([[maybe_unused]] size_t index,
 			itemRollOff = 0;
 
 		if (sndData->IsStereo())
-			LOGWARNING("OpenAL: stereo sounds can't be positioned: %s", sndData->GetFileName().string8());
+			LOGWARNING("OpenAL: stereo sounds can't be positioned: %s", sndData->m_FileName.string8());
 
 		hSound->SetLocation(CVector3D(itemDist * sin(offset), 0, -itemDist * cos(offset)));
 		hSound->SetRollOff(itemRollOff, m_MinDist, m_MaxDist);
@@ -273,19 +267,20 @@ void CSoundGroup::Reload()
 {
 	m_CurrentSoundIndex = 0;
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
-	ReleaseGroup();
+	m_SoundGroups.clear();
 
 	if (!g_SoundManager)
 		return;
 
+	CSoundManager* soundManager{static_cast<CSoundManager*>(g_SoundManager)};
 	for (const std::wstring& filename : m_Filenames)
 	{
 		VfsPath absolutePath = m_Filepath / filename;
-		CSoundData* itemData = CSoundData::SoundDataFromFile(absolutePath);
+		COggData* itemData{soundManager->GetSoundDataFromFile(absolutePath)};
 		if (!itemData)
 			HandleError(L"error loading sound", absolutePath, ERR::FAIL);
 		else
-			m_SoundGroups.push_back(itemData->IncrementCount());
+			m_SoundGroups.push_back(itemData);
 	}
 
 	if (TestFlag(eRandOrder))
@@ -293,16 +288,6 @@ void CSoundGroup::Reload()
 #endif
 }
 
-void CSoundGroup::ReleaseGroup()
-{
-#if CONFIG2_AUDIO
-	for (CSoundData* soundGroup : m_SoundGroups)
-		CSoundData::ReleaseSoundData(soundGroup);
-
-	m_SoundGroups.clear();
-#endif
-}
-
 void CSoundGroup::Update(float /*TimeSinceLastFrame*/)
 {
 }
diff --git a/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.h b/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.h
index ff8be23c26..c0f87441ea 100644
--- a/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.h
+++ b/source/soundmanager/scripting/SoundGroup.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "lib/file/vfs/vfs_path.h"
 #include "lib/types.h"
 #include "simulation2/system/Entity.h"
+#include "soundmanager/data/OggData.h"
 
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <string>
@@ -50,7 +51,6 @@ class CSoundGroup
 public:
 	CSoundGroup(const VfsPath& pathnameXML);
 	CSoundGroup();
-	~CSoundGroup();
 
 	// Play next sound in group
 	// @param position world position of the entity generating the sound
@@ -64,9 +64,6 @@ public:
 
 	void Reload();
 
-	// Release all remaining loaded handles
-	void ReleaseGroup();
-
 	// Update SoundGroup, remove dead sounds from intensity count
 	void Update(float TimeSinceLastFrame);
 
@@ -84,7 +81,7 @@ private:
 	void SetDefaultValues();
 #if CONFIG2_AUDIO
 	// We store the handles so we can load now and play later
-	std::vector<CSoundData*> m_SoundGroups;
+	std::vector<COggData*> m_SoundGroups;
 #endif
 	u32 m_Seed;
 	// We need the filenames so we can reload when necessary.