What do you use?  What do you recommend?  I'm in the market  :)

Sound Forge.

[forehead slap]
 
I have SF 10 loaded but haven't used in so long I forgot it was there.  Here.
 
Thanks
 
 

32bit.... but people say its good...  and free..
 
http://www.voxengo.com/product/r8brain/

If you are in the market, means a few dollars to spend, so IMHO, here's where to make the investment.
 
My main workhorse for years has been dBpoweramp. Have had the registered version from the dark ages, and each upgrade has been free, no online activations. Elegant and powerful program.
 
https://dbpoweramp.com/
 
Hi point is the continuous updates to the codecs, also free. Converts anything to anything with solid precision and control over all parameters needed. I always render a project to wave mixdown and let dBpoweramp do the conversion if another format is required. Has a great CD ripper, tagger and various perks and plugins available as add on aps for free as well.
 
The freeware version disables the mp3 codec after a month but leaves active every and all converters available in "Codec Central". Some have kept the freebie for all other conversions after mp3 goes south and used something like WinLame as a front end for the LAME codec. Was inspired enough, had to support the developer and registered the thing. Demo is available.
 
John

Actually you can use Sonar itself just use File, Audio Export and select Tracks.  The good part is that you get all the tracks in separate wav files.
 
I just had to do that because the XR18 only supports 16 bit (no 24 bit there). 
 EDIT:  Actually I WAS able to load a  48K/24 bit file yesterday.  So I was wrong there.  I am still tracking down issues with loading others.
 

Depends on what kind of conversion I need (sample rate, wordlength/dither, compressed or uncompressed) and how many files I have to deal with.
 
If it's one or two files, I'll use Adobe Audition or SONAR, as suggested above. Audacity is also an option. But if it's hundreds of files, and all that's needed is sample rate conversion, then r8brain is just the ticket.

patm300e
Actually you can use Sonar itself just use File, Audio Export and select Tracks.  The good part is that you get all the tracks in separate wav files.
 
I just had to do that because the XR18 only supports 16 bit (no 24 bit there). 
 
 

I needed to use an m4a file.  SoundForge took care of it for me.  Thanks for all of the input though ... I'm always looking for better tools and will be checking out the suggestions