I think Sonars Audio has improved noticeably

I was playing the CD version of an album we recorded in 2010 
https://soundcloud.com/john-vere/sets/the-uncle-ruckel-album-2010
 
Of course one is never completely happy with what we have created. The temptation to re mix was strong!!  So I loaded the original CWP files into Sonar Professional and wow! There was this huge improvement compared to the CD. Everything was clear and punchy. Why? I started comparing things. 
 
This album was recorded using Sonar 8.5 Pro 32 bit using a Tascam us1641. @ 44.1.  My playback system in my studio remains unchanged other than my Scarlett interface replaced the Tascam. I don't think that would make a difference to playback quality so I ruled it out.  The songs are under 12 tracks and mostly audio. The only  midi is the Keyboard part and I replaced the Kick. So these are basic live band recordings with only a Lexicon reverb and Sonitus Delay for effects. There is also a Sonitus compressor in a few track bins. Master bus has LP64 multiband. I guess they where all 32 bit so that could be a factor? 
 
I so I dropped a WAVE master into the same song and soloed etc. There is a noticeable difference. 
So is this difference the new audio engine? Or is there that much difference between 32 and 64 bit??
I'm not using the 64 bit rendering option.
Anyhow what I'm going to do is re export the songs and burn a new CD tonight and see if this is true.  
 
PS- the original CWP files loaded into Sonar Professional without any fuss. No warnings or difference other than the screen size was smaller. That's a big jump in Sonar versions without a hitch.  
 
 

One last thing: is there any possibility that the audio was modified prior to getting put on CD? A limiter or additional compressor?
 
Yes all songs are opened in Wave Lab to check the RMS level and top and tail. If the RMS level is low  then songs are run through the Steinberg Loudness Maximizer. 
So this is possible and I'll have to make some checks on this. 
 
As I compared the original master wave files AND the CWP project using only the Scarlett that rules out the interface for sure. 
It's a noticeable difference. Almost like the difference between a wave and MP3. 
 
I was just wondering if anyone feels there could be an improvement in sonic quality with what I understand is a new Audio Engine since 8.5. But I will run some tests and see if this is a mastering issue first. 
I still have 8.5 installed as I do this to get True Piano's and a few other missing items I don't get with my currant version. A simple test would be to export the same project from both 8.5 and Professional. 

You did use the Tascam to record rather than the Scarlett.  I noticed that songs I recorded using an Aardvark Q10 sound better playing them back through my Fireface 400.  Plus, if you're playing your tracks using the ProChannel, that could make a difference.

Of course the songs were recorded with the Tascam. And the projects won't have anything different as I am opening the absolute final versions so they open "as is" therefore should be what was exported. And I now remember that by the time I finished the album I was working with W7 64 bit and the 64 bit version of 8.5. so that's not a factor either. 
 

Improvements in real-time playback engine efficiency are one thing, but the sound of an offline rendering should not have changed if the project didn't change, and the same export settings were used. And 8.5 already had the 64-bit double-precision mix engine. But you'd have to compare the raw master exported from 8.5 to a new master exported from Platinum without out any other Wave/CD mastering app getting into the mix.
 
Yes, the new interface will sound different on playback, but it won't affect export, and the old master played back on the new interface should sound the same as a new master.
 
If you still have 8.5 installed, you can check this by creating new masters from each. They may not null if there are instrument or FX plugins involved that have random elements, but you can set up a blind A/B test, and see if you can reliably tell the difference.
 
I haven't tried this for a while, but in that past when this subject has come up, I've not been able to detect an audible difference between exports from different versions done back to back.

Maximizer.... ;-/   I would have spoke up earlier, but I just now read this thread.  People rave about L2, and it's competition....  Just hearing more dynamics can do more to your brain than, what you think it can.

Do you know where I can get a free 64-bit placebo plug-in?

To re cap.
I fired up some projects from 2010 ( Sonar 8.5 / 64 bit)  in Professional   ( 2015) 
I immediately "perceived" things were sounding "better" 
So I imported the Master Wave file for the same song into the project and there was a difference for sure. I optimistically assumed it was because Sonar's audio engine has improved or something along those lines. Therefore the title of the thread. I was wondering out loud if anyone else might have notice an improvement. 
Thanks to the collective mind here I did some tests and have concluded that there is no perceivable difference between using 8.5 and Professional. That is when using my present system. 
I don't think the system can be involve with an exported file but??. 
The unknown to me is how much an audio interfaces drivers can the screw the export up? I have solid proof that the old Tascam drivers that I was using at the time trashed my timing offset. But all overdubs where done with the Tascam so I doubt if my Focusrite drivers would magically re align that. 
 
The last test I did to qualm my thirst for understanding was to re master the song in Wave Lab and I applied 1.5 db of gain with the Loudness Maximizer.  
When I compare the old and new master there is a noticeable difference in sonic clarity ( for lack of a better term) Both are same RMS average of 14db. Like I say, it's like the old master might as well be a 64bit MP3 compared to the new one.  It's like pulling cotton out of your ears. 
So if it was the fault of Wave Lab 5  (32 Bit??) then it could be my upgraded version of Wave lab is now responsible for the improvement. 
 I guess I'll leave it at that and just re master the album with my new improved system. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I wonder how many tens of thousands of CDs were mastered with Wavelab 5 and now have to be completely redone?  Eeek!  :P

konradh
Do you know where I can get a free 64-bit placebo plug-in?

Hi Konradh, just found - plug in - Placebo-  for you :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0SC2KFQEfE
 
hope that helps