Messages

Thanks for the AV tip, but the AV was not doing a virus scan at the time. AVG must be performing a virus check on the sound file as it is called, or performing some similar operation. Again this may not apply to other AV's. The only way I found to stop this was to disable AVG for a time unfortunately.
Anyhow, I won't post in this thread again as my issue has been fixed.
Farewell.

I think I have found a solution to this problem!
It is a environmental-related problem, which seems to be related to Anti-Virus Programs.
I was running AVG Anti-Virus 2013 while the game was running, and disabling this program has resulted in smooth game-play.
I am not sure if this extends to other Anti-Virus Programs.

@Gorzek: Thanks for finding that it may be an environment issue, however my solution implies that you should check your Anti-Virus status immediately.
Running a full scan may be a good idea as well.