Yeah, the new feature list is small.  I figure the bakers haven't been *that* idle since X3e.  I'm sure there is a pile of cool stuff finished and waiting to be trickled out to us over the next 12 months.
 
Hopefully we don't ALL buy in this month.  Otherwise we won't see much until the great big carrots on the list slated for Feb and Mar 2015  :)
 
I figure in theory I'll be getting more post-purchase updates than past upgrades.  We'll see.  Since Craig is the hardest seller on this scheme, I'll be holding his reputation hostage if this turns out bad!
 
Seriously, guys, I hope this really is a win-win.  You have my money, now make the best use of it.
 

I like your approach. Here's my money, do what you said you would and I will give you some more. That is all they have been asking for. 

Ok - so here's my question after reading the subscription/buy up-front info and a few threads on this new method of purchase:
 
I don't see "upgrade" listed.  As described, the new Platinum is the old Producer.  I have x3 Producer.  Based on the current info presented, if I want the new Platinum, I have to pay either $50/month or $499 upfront.  Is there an upgrade price anywhere?
 
I'm seeing people say "it's the same as before but Cakewalk is letting you pay in installments (with a certain amount of interest)", but in the old method, to upgrade to the new version of the same "level" of program was usually in a much lower price point.  I think I paid $199 or something similar to go from x1 Producer to x3 Producer - I can't see it in my account any more, so I can't recall the exact pricing.  It seems that both X1 and X3 are gone from my account and only 8.5 is showing (no previous versions either, which I had back to v2.x).
 
So, if I want to "upgrade" to the new version, which actually doesn't seem to have much in the way of new features compared to x3 - less than pretty much any previous version I can recall - it looks, on the surface, that I have to pony up the full purchase price of $499 or pay $50/month, which would get to my $199 in 4 months.
 
Can someone clarify if there is any owner-loyalty in this new pricing scheme that I'm just not seeing somewhere?

Well - nevermind me!
 
For anyone else with a similar question, you have to look further down the comparison page for the Platinum upgrade with an Intro offer - don't know what this will become after the Intro pricing, but it ISN'T like I described above:
 
Please check this link: http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions and make sure to scroll down the page to the Compare Versions chart, where you will see that previous x3 Producer owners can upgrade for $149 or $14.99/month.  So, even though the $14.99/month costs more over the course of the year, I can probably more easily justify that! :)
 
Hope this helps someone to find this valuable info. 

You only have to get the upgrade which is for you 149 $ for the Platinum.

kakku
You only have to get the upgrade which is for you 149 $ for the Platinum.

I actually got it for $126 at jrrstore  :)  I was going to call and complain that I just paid $79 to upgrade to X3e November 28th, but then I visualized Cake employees not being able to buy shoes for their children ...