I have X3 pro now and from the look of the new version, I have most of the features now, in fact I have ALL my plugins from all versions of Sonar 4 7 and 8 installed as well.
I don't use X3 channel strip as its clumsy to use, I have more plugin that emulate all aspects of the channel strip and beyond.
Seems that I could down grade to Artist and use all the plugins that come with X3 ++ or is this wrong? 
 
The only reason I would justify upgrade is if the main DAW was more stable then X3. is it?
 
peace!

Are you asking is it more stable in your environment or mine?
 
I can only tell you about my environment (once I own it). I (an no one) can tell you how stable it is in your environment. That is simply impossible.

Artist is equally stable compared to Platinum and Professional. If you don't mind losing out on Platinum//Professional exclusives like ProChannel, your experience with Artist will be on par with that of the bigger versions.

bapu
Are you asking is it more stable in your environment or mine?
 
I can only tell you about my environment (once I own it). I (an no one) can tell you how stable it is in your environment. That is simply impossible.

I may have said that wrong I meant "less bugs" :) Free Trial may be the best option...
Peace! 

Bill Jackson [Cakewalk]
Artist is equally stable compared to Platinum and Professional. If you don't mind losing out on Platinum//Professional exclusives like ProChannel, your experience with Artist will be on par with that of the bigger versions.

That's cool.. I don't use Prochannel anyway. Yet still the never ending cakewalk bug issues are a concern.
Are you going to offer a free trial? thanks!

There is a demo mode.

CakeAlexS
There is a demo mode.

Cool!

CakeAlexS
There is a demo mode.

Finally, at least I can find some answers for myself. I would have never expected that. A demo right away! Yippie!

I do not believe the free trial version is available ATM. There was some mention of it in the mega thread above. CW hopes to have the free trial released soon after the product starts shipping.

As soon as I see a trial I'm trying it,if this fixes my prochannel issues I'm in! If not later y'all :-P or maybe I'll get artist :) because everything elts works