I use the VRM box as a USB device. I have used it with previous versions of Sonar as well. Sometimes when I plug it in it doesn't connect. I unplug it and plug it back in until the light stops flashing. The other thing I do is make sure it doesn't become the default sound device on my laptop (control panel -> sound -> playback). Are you using the latest driver? http://us.focusrite.com/downloads?product=VRM+Box . I haven't tried it as an SPDIF device yet. I need to check that out.
 
Rocky

I too connect it to my interface's S/PDIF output. The thing to remember is that when you hook it up like this, Sonar doesn't have to know about it at all so there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever.

sharke
I too connect it to my interface's S/PDIF output. The thing to remember is that when you hook it up like this, Sonar doesn't have to know about it at all so there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever.

Oh so now we're keeping secrets from Sonar? My what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. 
 
Rocky

sharke
I too connect it to my interface's S/PDIF output. The thing to remember is that when you hook it up like this, Sonar doesn't have to know about it at all so there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever.

Sharke are you ONLY connecting it via S/PDIF without the USB part or are you connecting it like the VRM phamplet showed using  USB and S/PDIF? 
The reason I ask was I had problems using mine in X2 with an Octa-capture and returned it but still feel it would be a useful tool.  Seems like most people have issues with it.  Reallly wish it was just plug and play.

mrneil2

sharke
I too connect it to my interface's S/PDIF output. The thing to remember is that when you hook it up like this, Sonar doesn't have to know about it at all so there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever.

Sharke are you ONLY connecting it via S/PDIF without the USB part or are you connecting it like the VRM phamplet showed using  USB and S/PDIF? 
The reason I ask was I had problems using mine in X2 with an Octa-capture and returned it but still feel it would be a useful tool.  Seems like most people have issues with it.  Reallly wish it was just plug and play.

It really is plug and play. Just think of it as an extension of your interface - another headphone output as it were. Audio goes from your DAW into your interface, and then out into the VRM box via S/PDIF. You have to connect it to your computer via USB too, but if you have the S/PDIF connection then the USB is just there to power the box and send data to the box from the app (for changing settings etc). There's no audio coming through the USB. The important point to remember is that when you're using the S/PDIF connection, do not select the VRM box in Sonar's device settings. This is what I mean by keeping it totally hidden from Sonar. Because the USB is connected, Sonar is going to present the VRM box as a possible interface, but just select your regular interface as usual. I don't see any need to use the VRM box as an interface if you have an S/PDIF output. 
 
I'm pretty sure that 90% of the problems I see people having with the VRM box are due to them connecting it via S/PDIF and selecting it as an interface in their DAW. 

I use the VRM box a lot. I recommend it!

Sharke succinctly describes what To do. I'm set up the same and agree with his comments.

Excellent advice from Sharke - he explains it better than Focusrite  !

sharke
There's no audio coming through the USB. 

There is no processing chip on VRM-box - it's processed on computers drivers.
VRM box is just a DAC+headphone interface.
So the spdif take your input, send it up usb to driver, process, and back through usb to phones.
 
Then there is a Focusrite interface that has VRM dsp built in, not sure which turns it takes then.
 
So using the audio interface to VRM directly save you one turn of audio over usb.

Both the Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 and VRM Box were recent acquisitions for me.  I struggled with the configuration, and it is still hit and miss.  The steps below seem to work, at least for my setup.

1. Connect Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 SPDIF Out to VRM Box SPDIF In
2. Connect VRM to computer with USB
3. Open VRM Box software
4. On the left corner of the VRM Box interface, click the big circle to make sure the ball in the middle is lit green (if it is grey, it is deactivated)
   
5. Open Sonar.  Don't make output changes in Sonar
6. Open the Scarlett MixControl panel, found at Windows Start/Focusrite/Scarlett MixControl/Scarlett MixControl (or just start typing Scar... in Search programs and files)
7. In the Scarlett MixControl panel, make sure SPDIF Output 1 is set to Mix 1 (L) and SPDIF Output 2 is set to Mix 1 (R)

 
I'm pretty sure that 90% of the problems I see people having with the VRM box are due to them connecting it via S/PDIF and selecting it as an interface in their DAW. 

This bears repeating. the USB connection is only to control the preset sounds via the VRM software.