Hi. I have beside SONAR (I started with Pro Audio 9, and Am now on latest Sonar Platinum) personally used: Cubase, Nuendo and Pro Tools over some time. Tried Studio1, Reaper, Audacity and Ableton a bit. One of the bands I play in record in Logic Pro, and another in Wavelab. We all make music, and collaborate the best we can
I'm still trying to convince them to switch...
All the best.
 

doncolga
I use AbletonLive 9 for actual performance, and would be fine for production also.

just tried a demo..seems cool but for my brain didn't seem to user friendly..i.e. import a midi file love their libs, though. i will give more time..

When I was looking for a DAW, I had one probably uncommon but strict for me requirement: the ability to install it on at least 4 different computers. Without dongles. Nothing "gray", that was just the distribution of instruments (mostly MIDI based) in my flat (I am home hobby player and I could not fit drums, DP and guitar(s) into the room with my primary computer). I was surprised that such requirement has immediately narrowed possible choice. After reading a lot and taking my needs into account, I was close to buy 2x Abletons... but why should one home hobbyist pay two times for "pro" software just because he has small rooms in his flat and can not dedicate one of them for music only?
 
At that time I have tried many free VST(i) and I was not fascinated from them. Starting a "collection" from scratch was looking far from cheap. And then I have "found" Sonar, I had 8.5 LE from my keyboard and there was an invitation to join X1 "club". That was lucky time, when 8.5LE->X1 Studio->X1 Producer price was unbeatable. Looking back, I do not think there was better for me way to go. Except Piano VSTi (which still has to be written... I have demoed almost all existing), that package had/has everything required for my n00b level and much more. Some "extras" I could buy with big discounts, thanks to included "LE" versions. What I could not find/buy, I have... written myself

I own Reaper 5.x, Studio One Pro 3 and Mixbus3/Mixbus32c in addition to SONAR.
 

I've used all of the Cake versions from P8 - current, minus X1 & X2
I've used Reaper quite a bit.  I like it
Cubase to me is like trying to think in a foreign language I don't know
Studio One 2 & 3 Artist versions make me scratch my head a lot
Tracktion 5 is pretty good for straight up audio.  I use this with one particular collab partner
 
SONAR Plat is my favorite.  It matches my thinking the closest and is visually laid out the best for me.
Reaper is a close second.  I have to use replacement menus, a set of extensions and a replacement theme though.  It has a few things I wish SONAR had, but ... SONAR is home base.
 
I'm sure if I had as many hours with Cubase and Studio One I would be more cozy with them.
 
IMO, you're doing the right thing by trying out all of what's available.  DAWs are like instruments.  You can't have just one, they all take effort to learn to use and some feel right-some don't.
 
And don't get frustrated (easier said than done) when the DAW doesn't do things the way you think it should.  Focus on the task at hand and learn to use the tool the way it's designed to be used.
 
Lastly, evaluate the forums for the DAWs you are considering.  Having a group of knowledgeable people that love to help is as important as the feature list.

BobF
Having a group of knowledgeable people that love to help is as important as the feature list.

Possibly even more important, IMO.

I own Studio One 2 but don't use it...inability to create track templates put me off immediately; Sonar's power in that regard is huge and I love the rolling improvements.   Tried to get into Ableton but my brain didn't like it.  Started with Logic and Cubase back in the day...

BobF
Reaper is a close second.  I have to use replacement menus, a set of extensions and a replacement theme though. 

Bob - did you create the new menus or did you download them? Didn't know Reaper had that option. Might make it a bit easier as I go between Sonar and Reaper.

MP - Check your PM

I think that all DAWs basically accomplish the same thing, but with variations in the tools and workflows.  Another thing in common is that they have steep learning curves.  They are complex software applications, and it is amazing what they are capable of now, compared with a few years ago.
 
Unless your job requires you to be proficient in several DAWs, it would be best to pick just one and then learn it thoroughly.
 
Most DAWs offer demos or trials, so pick some that you like, and try each one for one or two weeks.  Then decide which one works best for you. 
 
I have an older version of Ableton Live that is no longer installed, and I have tried Reaper, but I find that it is not very intuitive.  I also have StudioOne 3 Prime, but don't click with that GUI.   
 
If I played live, I might consider Ableton again, or Bitwig, but not for home studio stuff. 
 
I have Ignite and Band-in-a-Box to use as musical scratchpads, but since they are not really DAWs, there is no overlap.  You can export tracks from those tools into a DAW, and they offer features not found in most DAWs, so they are complementary.
 
Overall, I am very satisfied with Sonar (now on lifetime Platinum), and it does everything I need it to do and then some.