My first impressions of the new model were extremely favorable.  The download and installation were both swift and easy, using the new C3.  Fantastic,
 
Initially I loaded some old projects to have a look around, and thought that I had come across some bugs (Sonar closing when canceling "Insert a Track Icon", one screenset being unavailable).
 
On further investigation, these seem to be related to a "Buggy Project" that behaves erratically in X3 as well.
 
Having played around with Sonar Platinum for a few days, I thought that I had little to report - It runs well - smooth seems to be a good description.
 
Vocal Sync works really well.
 
 Rematrix Solo is great - I can finally retire Perfect Space (and so another bitbridge VST).  It sounds excellent, is easy to st up, and a ProChannel module to boot.  Did I mention how much I love the PC?  I now have Rematrix Solo, Breverb and TSAR1-R in the PC.  Cool.
 
The New Control bar works as advertised.  I have the main Sonar view stretched over two monitors, so will not use it too much, but can see how useful it would be on one monitor.
 
Mix recall works brilliantly - I am already reworking some old tracks and comparing the new versions to the old.  I am pleased to say that either my mixing skills are improving, or the tools that I have at my disposal are better..
 
I can't comment on AudioSnap, as I have not used it yet.
 
The new FX Chain guitar amps sound great - thanks Craig - I look forward to playing around with them later.
 
Expandable sends are a godsend - brilliant.
 
I had stopped using the FX Bin and almost converted to PC only, but will use the bin more now, with the advent of FX stacking and plug in recycling.
 
There is much that I have not touched on yet - AD2 (I am an inveterate Toontrack user), PRV zoom, MIDI time stretching, new paint tool, etc.
 
At first I thought that I would be underwhelmed with the new update, but just typing up my experiences so far makes me realise how much is in this update, and I am only just scratching the surface..
 
So, all in all, very pleased so far.

Nice review JB. 

Thanks, John.
 
I think there is a lot here to take in.  The C3 idea alone will be a boon.
 
The more I work with Sonar Platinum, the better it gets.
 
I was initially sceptical of the new "Membership" model.  Now I can see that it will only benefit the end users, like me.  I like the idea of continual updated instead of rolling them all out in one go.
 
Well done, Cakewalk.
 
They manage to think constantly of new ways of dealing with issues - like the PC FX Chain, or the Quad Curve Flyout EQ, and now this.  Genius..

jb101
The new FX Chain guitar amps sound great - thanks Craig - I look forward to playing around with them later.

Cool, but wait until you get the final versions in a few days. The ones you have are prototypes that shipped accidentally. The final ones have based on what you have, but are more like "HD" versions.
 
I'm almost done with the Acoustic Guitar amp for the Membership program.

You gotta admire them.

I hear you and totally agree. CW has always thought out of the box. Also some things are our friend Benstat's work.

Anderton

jb101
The new FX Chain guitar amps sound great - thanks Craig - I look forward to playing around with them later.

Cool, but wait until you get the final versions in a few days. The ones you have are prototypes that shipped accidentally. The final ones have based on what you have, but are more like "HD" versions.
 
I'm almost done with the Acoustic Guitar amp for the Membership program.

I read your post about that - can't wait to try the finished versions.
 
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

John
I hear you and totally agree. CW has always thought out of the box. Also some things are our friend Benstat's work.

I seem to remember that the flyout was his idea, and possibly the PC FX Chain, too, but not sure.

jb101
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

It's nothing radical, just an "amp" designed for acoustic guitars that use piezo pickups (whose sound I generally do not like). I guess the coolest thing about it would be the Vocal Mode switch, which uses a combination of EQ and dynamics to open up space for vocals. 
 
After it's done I want to do a simplified version where you can just click different buttons to tailor (ahem) the acoustic guitar sound.
 
I have a few more guitar amps I want to do, but I also have some ideas for synth and keyboard amps. I often run synths into amps instead of direct, and there are some sounds that really work for me...I want to put those into a plug-in.

Anderton

jb101
The Acoustic Guitar amp sounds interesting..

It's nothing radical, just an "amp" designed for acoustic guitars that use piezo pickups (whose sound I generally do not like). I guess the coolest thing about it would be the Vocal Mode switch, which uses a combination of EQ and dynamics to open up space for vocals. 
 
After it's done I want to do a simplified version where you can just click different buttons to tailor (ahem) the acoustic guitar sound.
 
I have a few more guitar amps I want to do, but I also have some ideas for synth and keyboard amps. I often run synths into amps instead of direct, and there are some sounds that really work for me...I want to put those into a plug-in.

This sounds really cool.  Don't have the upgrade yet (on order) but looking forward to it.
 
I'm in the process of trying to simplify my guitar stuff down and a few quality amps (one being acoustic) that are simple to use and sound great are what I'm after.  Any plans for a "jazz" style amp?