I got Z3ta+ recently and I like the sound of it but the interface is a bit of a turn off. Before I was thinking of buying synthmaster because it was on sale and it seems to be able to do everything. Now I'm debating about upgrading to Z3ta+2 for the better interface.
Which would you choose if you could only have 1?
What can synthmaster/z3ta+2 do that the other can't?
Is there a big difference in CPU usage?
Should I get synthmaster now and then wait for a Z3ta+2 upgrade sale ?

Also I should mention I'm not really looking for vintage analog type sounds. I'm more interested in more modern sounds and unique sounds. I'll most likely program patches myself, so the number of presets isn't really a factor. Thanks.

They both have demos. Why not try both out and see which one works better for you?

I have posted some thoughts on Z3ta 2 in a different thread and my thoughts on Synthmaster as well.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Z3TA-2-Brass-and-Vangelis-type-sounds-m2864530.aspx
 
Bitflippers thread was also very interesting.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/My-longestever-shopping-quest-finally-concluded-m2859550.aspx
 
As I mention really want to like Z3ta 2 more but not liking the "grit" I often find when using it. (could not think of better more technical term to describe it)

Synthmaster is a great choice for sonic versatility, but for ease of programming it's only slightly more intuitive than Z3ta.
 
All modern soft synths, IMO, are severely UI-challenged. What you have to do is pick a synth based on what you've heard other people do with it, on the assumption that if they could figure it out so can you.
 
(btw, after an arduous selection process I chose U-He Zebra as my own primary synthesizer, but Synthmaster was a close first runner-up.)

Z3ta+2 is problematic for some users, including myself. I would strongly suggest that you thoroughly try the demo on your system before parting with any money. I didn't do this assuming that as it was a CW product that it would play nicely in Sonar. Wrong !

I have both and if I were forced to give up one of them, I'd pick Z3ta without a moment's hesitation as the one to part with.  Z3ta does have a few competencies that SM doesn't: wave shapers and daisy-chained oscillators.  But SM is one of the most versatile synths I've yet encountered.  I found the factory content to be a mixed bag, but there are a nice number of add-on sound sets (for about $15 apiece) that bring something special to the table.  Z3ta has nothing comparable, IMO.
 
Oddly enough, I find Z3ta's user interface a bit easier to comprehend, and I'm not just talking about esthetic issues like color.  But SM has reasonably good documentation and with a little effort you can master it without a huge educational effort.  But it is a somewhat more complex instrument than Z3ta, so it will have a correspondingly longer learning curve.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go with synthmaster. I'm sure I'll pick up Z3ta+2 in the future, but I'll wait for a sale. I DLed the demo of synthmaster, but I only had a few min to play around with it. I'm sure I'll buy it in a week or so unless I find something in it that really turns me off. Anyway thanks for all the advice.