I am staying with Sonar for whatever projects I have started with it. I mixed the same song on 3 different DAWs last weekend and when I listened back later, I just think the Sonar mix was better. That might have been because I know Sonar better and the project was started in Sonar.
 
Sonar is really fantastic and is probably the most feature rich DAW Ive ever used. I use Sonar more as a tape machine and mixer. I always have. It does more than I ever needed and I barely scratched the surface of all it can do.
 
That said, the fact that I love it so much has kept me from using other products (I haven't run any other DAW since 1998) that might offer something needed and good.
 
I enjoy the other DAWs I've tried and they all have strengths and weaknesses. Of course, I really wish someone....anyone would rescue Sonar.

When many still use older versions of Sonar , like me till Black Friday weekend and I buy Sonar Pro. LOL I been running X3 on win 10 no probs and Pro seems good so far.
If I get a few years out it before something too good not to have comes along I will.
Meanwhile have Reaper, very powerful DAW that can outdo Sonar in many ways but it takes alot of learning the shortcuts. Sonar is intuitive and comes ready bungled with some great instruments.. Absolutely an underestimated DAW.
If you really have to learn another DAW Reaper over PTs and save a bungle. Reaper is very much respected among PT users. Both PTs and Cubase have only just caught up to Sonar and Reaper.

Thanks to all you positive folks who have made about the same decision as me. 
 
Generally everyone is saying this:
 
Sonar is the best DAW for me at this point
I tried a few other DAWs and returned to Sonar still preferring it to the rest
Why should I spend more money when there is no need to. 
I have another DAW but will put it aside and continue to use Sonar as my main software.
Sonar is not broken and will not be broken by W10, that is a popular myth spread by the uninformed. 
The currant version of Sonar is about as stable as it's ever been.
We got our moneys worth this year even if it didn't last a lifetime, no regrets about that. 
I am still optimistic that Sonar will be re born someday
 
A few tidbits I've gathered over the last few days:
 
Cakewalk ( Willy) has said the servers won't be shutting down in the foreseeable future and hopefully not for a long time.
They are working on a possible key to unlock activation's for future installations. 
 
People are finding the My Products web site slow because I guess everyone took my advice and is downloading everything you own as a back up. I did this a few days ago and had no problem. 
 
I also successfully installed the latest Splat to a fresh laptop at work that's never seen Cakewalk before using the downloaded file and I did not install or run Command Center. I used the offline activation found in the help menu. It was super easy and took about 2 minutes. This will be this future magic key they are promising. It will be the response key. At this point you can only use that key once and I think it times out too.  
 
The other good news for all those who are feared Windows 10 will break Sonar. 
Think about this, People are checking in who still run Sonar 6. What do you think is so different about Splat that it won't keep going? If you really think it's W10 then don't use W10. 
True, W10 is a new beast, myself I've had enough abuse and will be installing W8.1 back to my main DAW.. W10 didn't cause problems for me with Sonar itself, but all the other stuff I'm tired of dealing with after it updates. 
 
So the good news is this, Widows 8.1 9 and W7 will not do that, it will update, but those updates are basically harmless being just security stuff and not a major face-lift. And it won't automatically update to W10 while you sleep anymore too. So if you are worried about W10 stopping your workflow, don't use it. You don't need it to run Sonar and 99% of the software and audio interfaces etc. Nobody uses W10 in the big systems like were I work at a hospital. 

I just spent a few hours back with Studio One which I bought a few years ago and kept up to date.
 
I thought I'd force myself to do a project and that would refresh my memory of things.  Well, it did to a large degree.  But I got stuck when trying to pull a MIDI clip along the time line in track view: grab and drag in Sonar, simple! After a few frustrating minutes and failing to find anything on YouTube, I accidentally found that my cursor needed to be in the middle (vertically) of the clip... ?!!  Anyway, I persevered and then just for the sake of it, went into Sonar to build the same project. And my goodness....I know it's been my home for a long time, but you know what?  It looks, feels and works FAR better than S1.  So I'm staying with Sonar until the bitter end, which I reckon will be a long while yet.
 
I'll try the demo of Cubase Pro 9.5 if and when it comes out just in case I'm missing something.
EDIT: It's available. I've put in the request for the demo and the link came through straight away - I'm already a Steinberg customer as I've Halion Sonic for years, plus the necessary dongle.  I'll install it tomorrow and report back in due course!

I downloaded Cubase 8 demo. It was hugely disappointing. I own Cubase 5 LE that came with my Tascam us1641. I saw very little difference overall, Well ya, there was a lot of extra stuff, but the interface and feel was still the same. And the download was buggy and a few VST didn't make it. And where's the SMART TOOL? 
Big waste of 9 GB of my bandwidth. I'm glad I took the trouble again to try it because now I don't feel I'm missing out on something.
 
It automatically arms all your tracks to record until you find the setting to change it.
If any one knows how to get rid of the default GM synth from loading when you insert a midi track, let me know. And then I spent 20 minutes just trying to figure out how to delete the GM synth and it's instrument track,, All I wanted was 3 midi tracks so I could try and record bass and drums.. I gave up. Sure, I could read the manual..:) 

I'm not going anywhere, and despite some of the great offers bobbing up from different companies, I have no reason to jump ship when the DAW I know runs perfectly. Right now, I couldn't be bothered trying to learn the ins and outs of another platform as a 'just in case' measure.    

Not having read through the entire thread (ain't nobody got time for that :p ), my two cents is that I'm sticking with SONAR for as long as it works; or, until I can afford another DAW - whichever comes first.  The main reason I chose SONAR in the first place was the flexible and affordable pricing options, and the learning curve much shorter.  But I've gotten to know the product well, and love it, so I'm not in a hurry to ditch it.  However, in anticipation of a time when it's no longer viable, I'll be making plans (saving $$) for something else.  ...and hope it's good enough.

I have been using it for many years and I see no reason to change now. If they come through on their promise with permanent authenticaion I have zero worries keeping Sonar as a DAW for many years to come. I always keep my DAW offline so MS butchering it is not a major risk. 
 
I got to say that I have been more than happy with the features and quality of Sonar for years. So much so that I don't REALLY see the point of needing to add anything more. Why? Well, I do have all the tools I could ever need already.  Always chasing the next plug in/feature is just a distraction from the actual purpose of a DAW to begin with, everyone is so focused on the technology that they forget about creating music. It is a bit like Audiophiles that are so focused on their gear, that they almost forget that all that is just so that can listen to music, but the music takes the backseat. I think for many that is the case with their DAW's too. 
 
If you are not able to write and create with what is at your disposal today with Sonar, that is not because you are lacking a filter, VST plugin or more CPU power etc, that is on you.  People have written great music with acustic guitars for ever, many with nothing more than their ears and minds. We have no excuse, maybe this is a blessing, to get off of our techfocused asses and start creating  instead of waiting for the next thingymabob:) 
 
Nothing is more valuable to me than time, and the time spent learning Sonar is MUCH more valuable than the dollars spent. Dollars we can make back, time spent is gone. So I much rather make use of that time by keeping Sonar for as long as I possibly can. When / if that time comes where I can't, I will deal with it but for now I see no reason to go anywhere. 

Ozz
I'm not a professional.....just a hobbyist, so I'm in no rush to use something else.  I've been essentially using nothing but Cakewalk/Sonar since the late 80s.  I'm probably only using about 10% of the capabilities of this program as is.
 
As long as I'll be able to continue to install and use the program if I have to replace any hardware, or want to build a new machine...I'll use it.   (At least until it either gets broken by something, or just gets really out of date)
 
The thing is, I've actually gotten to a point recently, where I'm satisfied with both Sonar and the third party items I have.....for the last year, for the first time, I haven't felt the need or desire for any shiny new plugins....because I feel that what I have does everything I need....
 
Of course...if a really great deal on something comes along.....well.... ;-)

This is exactly my situation (except for the part since the 80's ). I'm extremely comfortable and happy using Sonar (until one of us dies first).
 
If Windows or something else kills it, I'll find another DAW at that time.......after all, it's the music that must go on roooooight?
 
 
 

I'm planning to stick with Sonar. Been using Cakewalk / Sonar since the early nineties. Have just delivered one major project few months ago. Pretty much like Platinum as it is now. Don't need replacement now or the next couple of years.
 
Expect Sonar will stay compatible with windows for at least 3 years, maybe 5 to 10.