For me 8.5 was rock solid!! X1 and x2 had there issues .
X3 so far seems to be as solid as 8.5 .
What i like about the x series is the smart tool as mentioned , the multidock, and a few other minor additions , screen sets for me do nothing, waste of time for my type of recording and mixing but many find it usefull .
I do like to add x2 gave us rmix very cool plugin. And bverb .
The Pro channel is cool but cake has slacked with pro channel plugins and they lost me when they deceided to allow softube to make a plugins that use ilok..

X3 without a doubt is solid and my fav version of sonar . But man the pro channel great idea but give us some more plugins. What about a delay. Or a filter .. Yeah the new filter in x3 is awesome but it's jot for the pro channel. Being a great concept but what a mess when you use the fx bin and the pro channel , what goes first in line what's on what track make sure you have the pro channel opened to see

That's why I prefer Pro Channel sticking to basic channel strip type operation. EQ, compression, gating, etc. makes sense in there and provides good workflow without getting in the way of things you would normally put in the bin (chorus, delay, etc). I'm already annoyed by BReverb2 being in the Pro Channel. Right now, small exceptions notwithstanding, the ProChannel isn't fighting but rather complementing the fx bin. Please keep it that way!

I think X3 is more stable than 8.5.3
I was worried about the learning curve.  It is not steep at all.  Yes, some things are located in different places.  But you find the places, and that is it.  So it may take a week or so of regular use to get into it.  The good news - it was actually enjoyable learning it.  And it was not like you start at 0.  You are more than halfway there in my opinion with the start.
 
Definitely go for it IMHO.

All i can say is
It is a No Brainer

I think I added up $1,000 dollars worth of plug-ins if bought separately ...ya it's a real no brainer is right.

Bought the X1 so called "upgrade" from 8.5 from 8 from 6 from 5 from 4 from 3, bla bla. Nope not for me. Fuuny how every time something new is released, the previous version is suddenly looked upon as useless and not worthy of any serious discussion. Was tough for me but I have made a irrevocable decision. I am going to start all over again learning a daw gui, but it won't be X anything. It will be something else.  

chuckebaby
 
its hard to give an honest opinion of this software by just looking at it.
specially with all the changes now, VST 3 being the largest IMO
8.5 cant even compare. x3 makes it look like a toy.

+100

pianodano
Bought the X1 so called "upgrade" from 8.5 from 8 from 6 from 5 from 4 from 3, bla bla. Nope not for me. Fuuny how every time something new is released, the previous version is suddenly looked upon as useless and not worthy of any serious discussion. Was tough for me but I have made a irrevocable decision. I am going to start all over again learning a daw gui, but it won't be X anything. It will be something else.  

Danny . . . really sounds like you're done (irrevocable decision), but at least hang out a while and try the demo for X3. It really is some of the bakers best work.
Software moves on, as certain as death and taxes, and the other DAWs are apparently rumoured to not be bug free. Whatever, find what works best for you.
 
For the OP . . . yes, upgrade, big learn curve, great software, make sure your system specs are up for it, a lot has changed from 8.5 to X3 (in Windows OS, Audio + Sonar)

djjhart@aol.com
For me 8.5 was rock solid!! X1 and x2 had there issues .
X3 so far seems to be as solid as 8.5 .
What i like about the x series is the smart tool as mentioned , the multidock, and a few other minor additions , screen sets for me do nothing, waste of time for my type of recording and mixing but many find it usefull .
I do like to add x2 gave us rmix very cool plugin. And bverb .
The Pro channel is cool but cake has slacked with pro channel plugins and they lost me when they deceided to allow softube to make a plugins that use ilok..

X3 without a doubt is solid and my fav version of sonar . But man the pro channel great idea but give us some more plugins. What about a delay. Or a filter .. Yeah the new filter in x3 is awesome but it's jot for the pro channel. Being a great concept but what a mess when you use the fx bin and the pro channel , what goes first in line what's on what track make sure you have the pro channel opened to see

We are definitely looking to add more ProChannel modules. Delay or Filter sound pretty good. We've had some good talks with third parties too about porting stuff over. It's on the list for sure.

Wait till you try the demo. Do a project in it, see how well it works for you.