Sonar X2 essential? my budget is limited, can't afford Producer or Studio.Opinions plase!!

Hello, I´m thinking of getting Sonar x2 now. I dont need many cakewalk virtual instruments or plugins, I just need an stable x64 workstation.
-Do you recommend me Sonar x2 essential? it´s perfect for my budget but Im not familiar with it...
-Will I miss something from Sonar x2 Producer? Remember I dont need cakewalk "extras", I just want an STABLE (and cheap) workstation to work a lot of waves and NI plugins and VST thats all.
Any one reccommends something?
what about x3 essential?
many thanks 

I would definitely go for the basic X3 version over X2. Dubdisciple is correct about Cakewalk making the core functionality equivalent over the entire X3 line.
 
Here's a comparison chart. The main difference (at least for me) is there's no ProChannel and there are far fewer plug-ins, although it doesn't sound like that matters to you. I don't want to sound too "Cakewalk rah-rah," but I think you'll find X3 gives pretty exceptional value.

FWIW I use tons of NI virtual instruments and selected Wave plugs, and they work fine with X3.

I just upgraded to X3 last night..... So tomorrow the 95% off sale should begin.
 

 

That is a good question. X2 Producer has a handy plug-in (R-Mix SONAR) that will not be available again (plus a lot of other goodies if you have not had a Producer Edition before). Please take a look at the X2 comparison chart and check that against X3 Essential. Much of that portion depends on what versions you have owned, but again is more plug-ins. Audiosnap 2.0 is very nice, V-Vocal, etc... so please research that package.
 
As far as "stability" and work flow, I think the general consensus is X3.

Unless you are absolutely in love with R-mix or v-vocal, I think X3 essential is a better deal.  I like pro channel but certainly could work fine without it.  A track template with plugin chains would certainly give you similar functionality. if you had no plugins,  Producer would be the better move.  NI covers the gamut of instruments. I think Rapture holds its own against third party plugins but goes on sale fairly often

I'd go w/ Pro, even if it is X2.  Most of the bugs are ironed out, and even tho it is mostly extra plug-ins and synths, there is the prochannel.  That is really nice (even tho the NI Waves stuff won't work in it).  Of course, getting X2 is provisional - you will want to upgrade to X3 (or X4) at some point, but it should be cheap (X2 to X3 Pro was $149 and may be cheaper now).  There really isn't too much functional difference between X2 and X3 that you will notice.  You will have a heap gob of plugins, (some you might like better than NI and Waves).  And once you register them you'll have them after you upgrade.

Even the base version ships with quite a few plugins
 
Here's the comparison :
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/versions.aspx