Looks good to me, I'll be using it from day 1

Grumbleweed_
I'm looking forward to this. The idea of a visual clue of what save file "14-07-2014" (for example) contains without opening it works for me.

Grum.

An audio clue/snippet would be awesome

jih64

Grumbleweed_
I'm looking forward to this. The idea of a visual clue of what save file "14-07-2014" (for example) contains without opening it works for me.

Grum.

An audio clue/snippet would be awesome

Propellerhead Reason saves tell you the length and tempo which can be a good clue (unless you do generic dubstep).

Grum.

Very nice.  I will be using it from the start. 

It looks like an improvement to me.  Even after using Sonar for 4 years (most projects start as a copy of another project, so I don't use the start screen much) I still get momentarily confused by the old start screen.  It seems like I always try to click on an inert object.

It's fine and an improvement, but I'm fairly non plussed it worked fine before sorry.
 
There were better things to do in my view. Drum maps UI doesn't work very well, clean audio folder does not work at all, obvious improvements and bug fixes needed with takelanes and other areas of major functionality. Most of it has been discussed to death in these forums. I wasn't seeing anybody writing 'hey we really need the start menu dialogue to be improved', I didn't see a single post or feature request (maybe there was one). In fact with recent new functionality over the last 4 months I haven't seen anybody ask for what is being delivered. The upcoming audio engine enhancements coming up is what some have been asking for however.
 
Just being honest, it's a nice enhancement regardless, it just isn't improving my workflow much. I suspect touch screen users will benefit more. Also it would have been nice to see some more color (heaven forbid metro style), I'll stop right here because I know that may end up being a controversial point.

Doktor Avalanche
There were better things to do in my view. Drum maps UI doesn't work very well, clean audio folder does not work at all, obvious improvements and bug fixes needed with takelanes and other areas of major functionality.

You are right, of course.  There will always be substantive details that seem to deserve more resources than something like this.  However, there is a certain matter of polish.  That start screen does make a first impression to new users, and we all benefit if new users have a better experience and put their money into the development pot.  That's the big picture I think.

Yup maybe true...

cparmerlee

Doktor Avalanche
There were better things to do in my view. Drum maps UI doesn't work very well, clean audio folder does not work at all, obvious improvements and bug fixes needed with takelanes and other areas of major functionality.

You are right, of course.  There will always be substantive details that seem to deserve more resources than something like this.  However, there is a certain matter of polish.  That start screen does make a first impression to new users, and we all benefit if new users have a better experience and put their money into the development pot.  That's the big picture I think.

 
Even if the new start screen appealed to potential users, if they find bugs in basic areas such TV and PRV, they probably won't buy the software. Actually, I've heard that the demo version doesn't even allow the user to save projects. At that point many will probably just forget Sonar and try some other daw.

icontakt
 I've heard that the demo version doesn't even allow the user to save projects. At that point many will probably just forget Sonar and try some other daw.

That's quite common behavior for demo versions (e.g., Ableton Live and Studio One Pro won't save projects; Reason won't let you open projects or export to audio). The other usual limitations are full feature but time-limited, or something annoying (random white noise bursts or silence, having to restart every 30 minutes, or whatever).