I'm back baby!  (as a current Sonarite)
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I decided tonight to go with Studio for now and purchased it.  Assuming I get my Sonar groove back,  I'll upgrade to Producer later in the year.
 
Anyway, I have installed X3 Studio and am now wandering around the interface.  I've pulled out a stack of old DVDs with Sonar bundles of my band recordings, some dating back 10 years.  I am going to take an audio walk down memo lane if I can figure out this new fangdangled interface. :)
 
urock

Welcome back! I also had SONAR 7 prior to getting the upgrade offer to X1. I am scratching my head wondering what the "jump" would be from 7 to X3, but you will have a lot to play with! Enjoy :D
 
Michael

Using it on all projects, best sounding Console emulation out there

No!
 
 
 
My ears are waaay tooo sensitive to hear a difference.
 
 
 

I can only speak on the console em. I am upgrading to X3 in a week or two. The console , in my opinion, is very, very subtle. It is not that noticeable until you start stacking track after track with one on each track until it is noticeable. The most noticeable to me is the N setting. The S is modeled after an SSL board, the N is modeled after a NEVE board, and the A is modeled after an API or Trident board. Don't expect a dramatic WOW factor difference. It does sound good just the same. 

I've got the Waves NLS, and now the X3 console emulator. In the Waves plug I like the Neve and the EMI emulation. I really like Sonar's emulations a lot. Note that some may not notice much difference if you don't turn the drive up a little. That's when their character really comes out.