Beezo-
The general consensus on the Cool Edit Forum is that the UAD-1 card will work with FxPansion's wrapper, but not very well in real time. You could certainly apply it destructively (ala CEP 1.2) but even then you get some pops and cracks even within the solo track. I really wanted the card too, but I've chosen to wait until there's full VST support, or Universal Audio puts out a DX version.
You want 1176 and LA-2As? Check out PSP Audioware's MixPack. The MixSaturator and MixPressor are rather impressive, and although the don't look the same as the vintage units, and they do use CPU power, I think tape compression and adding "warmth" are something you can audition in Real Time and then apply destructively, in steps. That's how works on analog equipment, anyways...gradual steps.
Peace
Chris