I just purchased a used VS700 Studio complete (VS700C and VS700R, even with Sonar 8.5) for the grand total of:

$500.00 

(499.00 actually, and a bit more for tax, warranty and shipping)

That's not a typo!  The short story is I purchased it from a major music retailer here in the US. The guy they bought it from, they told him they could not really sell it since it's so tied to Sonar, so they offered him some price (I assume even lower!), and he sold it to them!  I was looking a used control surface when I stumbled upon it.

Needless to say, I am more than ecstatic about getting this!

Only thing I'm thinking is that is this still relevant (useful) with Sonar X1, and does it work well enough without major issues?  I hope so.  I figure even if it doesn't work out too well for me, I can hopefully use it in MCU mode and work with it in other DAW's as well.

I'll probably be picking everyone's brain next week as I try to figure how to best setup this beast.  But, first order of business, is getting a table/desk big enough for this!

Hey mate it works fine with X1 but to be honest... it works really fine under 8.5.

It is a killer rig under 8.5...just a really good fit. X1 is something you'd need to try out to see if you are happy with it.

Good pickup for that price though! The hardware is a bargain for those dollars.

Cheers!

500$ ?!?!?!!!!

Damn that's a steel for sure!!

I work with X1 and this combo is very very nice but Mully is right, this system is the hardware translation of Sonar 8/8.5 so you may want to stay with with those for a better match.

That being said, I have no UAD nor wave plugins so I could not live without the prochannel now... the modules have taken my work to the next level and make audio processing  easier than ever. I could not roll back to 8.5 now.  If you make the move to X1, be sure to upgrade to expanded and grab the newer modules.  I'm glad I did!

On a foot note.... if you find that you don't use the fantom in the VS-r... I offer you 599$ for it, which is the price of a brand new octa-capture... I try my luck too lol!

Thanks guys.  I didn't want to come off as a braggart, but I felt I just had to tell somebody! :-)
 
I should explain a few things:
 
I already own Sonar 8.5 and use it.  I also have the free upgrade to 8.5 from X1, and also have picked up expanded and a few pro-channel modules as well, but have not installed it.  I also have Live Suite as well, and will be trying to learn that as well.
 
I was interested first in getting a new control surface. I have a ProjectMix I/O that M-Audio has already discontinued, so I wanted to sell it and get something else.  Was acutally hoping to run into a Mackie Universal Pro, before I ran into this.  I gotta admit, I was very interested when the VS700 came out, but I could not reconcile the use or the price with this just being a hobby for me. 
 
So, I figured I'd get this, and give it a go.  I'd like to try it with X1, especially since I have it, and looks like X2 may now be around the corner, and if I'm going to stay with Sonar, I don't want to be two releases behind.  I'd like to test out it's MCU protocol, see how well it works in other DAWs as well. 
 
Dyonight, I will admit that I'm skeptical about the Fantom part as well, since I already have enough VST synths to last me quite a while.  If it dosen't work out for me, I'll keep your offer in mind.  I think a Quad-capture would be more than enough for me, though.  I'm thinking a Quad-capture with the Mackie Universal Pro would probably be the way I should go.
 
Anybody got any other good suggestions for control surfaces?  I would like USB connection and motorized faders, and a decent transport control. 

Fork I've had the MCU and a Behri and even a Fostex. The 700C beats them all to death IMO.
The MCU was great but no where near a total integration and the 700C is still the best option out there.
For the price you have paid, nothing is going to come close!
Cheers..

+1 to Mully!

Forkol, PM me if you decide to make a move on the vs-R and honnestly, keep the console!  

I've tried to convince me that I could get rid of it but this thought last no longer than a few seconds. It is now a near essential tool for me. 

At least give it a ride for some time, there's a lot going on once you start digging in! The abillity to recall your sessions and preamp setting is the ultimate time saver. 

If you plan to sell the console anyway don't start using it at all! Or you will miss it for sure and it will haunt you FOREVER! MOUHAHAH!

ok sorry....

Dyonight, I will admit that I'm skeptical about the Fantom part as well, since I already have enough VST synths to last me quite a while. If it dosen't work out for me, I'll keep your offer in mind. I think a Quad-capture would be more than enough for me, though. I'm thinking a Quad-capture with the Mackie Universal Pro would probably be the way I should go.

 
You'll love the Fantom V if you're into Synths. Once you get it set up you'll find it's one of the most comprehensive synths you've ever seen. Think of it as a smaller model of the Fantom G series keyboards.