If price was not a consideration up to $800.

It depends on which part of SONAR Platinum were most important to you. For example if you didn't use MIDI much, then you wouldn't care if one program had a better MIDI implementation than another.

Welp here's my requirements. My MIDI/Audio ratio is probably 85/15 on average so I need good implementation of both. Definitely need a decent PRV for MIDI editing. Also want intuitive clips handling and something reminiscent of an old school style signal path/mixing environment. My projects can get pretty heavy on the plugins (both synth and effects) so the ability to freeze tracks is also important.
 
Appreciate any suggestions from those in the know.

JohanSebatianGremlin
Welp here's my requirements. My MIDI/Audio ratio is probably 85/15 on average so I need good implementation of both. Definitely need a decent PRV for MIDI editing. Also want intuitive clips handling and something reminiscent of an old school style signal path/mixing environment. My projects can get pretty heavy on the plugins (both synth and effects) so the ability to freeze tracks is also important.
 
Appreciate any suggestions from those in the know.

I may not be "in the know" as much as other people here, but I've spent the last couple of days downloading and trying out all the DAW trials I can find.
And to make this brief, for me, the closest DAWS to Sonar (ie the one's I found most familiar) are Studio One, MixCraft, and (just downloaded today) Mixbus4.   Mixbus4 has the nicest user interface, and seems the most professional and has some great built in features.  Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to set it up properly so it works with my computer.  I can't seem to get any sound out of it.   The first two I had no problems in getting started.

But as mentioned before, everyone has different expectations and needs for their DAWs.  Just do what I did, download a bunch of trial versions and see which ones are the best fit for you.  And the special offers from various companies to Cakewalk users are a nice incentive too.
I'm mostly like you, I use my DAW for mostly MIDI inputs (VST plugins), and only use audio tracks for vocals.  But all of the major DAW programs can accommodate various user types.  Some have better features than others. 
The only DAW I did not like at all was MOTU's Digital Performer, and that was because the font size on the UI, was tiny.  You'd need a magnifying lens to read the text!

JohanSebatianGremlin
Welp here's my requirements. My MIDI/Audio ratio is probably 85/15 on average so I need good implementation of both. Definitely need a decent PRV for MIDI editing. Also want intuitive clips handling and something reminiscent of an old school style signal path/mixing environment. My projects can get pretty heavy on the plugins (both synth and effects) so the ability to freeze tracks is also important.
 
Appreciate any suggestions from those in the know.

Well - In my personal opinion Cubase Pro comes most close to what you want. However, as a (now mostly fulltime) user myself I cannot count out some prejudiced vision.
 
It is possible that Reaper is also doing what you need. I used Reaper just a short time, because it misses a lot of things I got used to in Cubase, so I cannot honestly give good advise about that program here.
 
If you are really heavy on MIDI then maybe Bitwig (or less likely Ableton Live) is something. I don't know if it meets your routing demands though. FL-Studio has a really great piano roll, but I think it also will get some problems with your routing demands.
 
Other programs are just not as strong in the MIDI department. I would not count them out, but I also cannot strongly recommend them.
 
I hope this helps a bit.

I also think that Cubase Pro 9.5 is nearest to SONAR. There is a crossgrade price for 285.- Euro.
Cubase has a lot of functions in audio and MIDI, so as SONAR.

I am in the similar midi/audio ratio with you and I use studio one. Hope that helps.

In terms of features, flexibility, and robustness for both audio and midi, Cubase is closest to Sonar.

Thanks All. I am leaning toward Cubase.