Seems to have a higher quality audio engine than 6.xx PE. I managed to get it installed without installing XP SP3. Everything went very well. Now to use it creating new music.
There have definetly been some improvements since I updated from SHS 6 to Sonar 8 Studio to Sonar 8.5 PE. I have just installed it on my new quad core 64 bit PC running Windows 7. The difference from my older single core 32 bit machine is unbelievable. I can't say I will make better music but being able to use all of the new plugins and features without the bog down will be enjoyable at least.
Good luck with your new tool.
I am still running my old P4 3.2 gig dual core with 2 gigs of RAM 32 bit. Todays install is the last upgrade to this DAW. I think it is pretty well maxed out, although it seems a bit smoother than 6 PE. In a little while I may get a better Mobo/CPU, some bigger hard drives (I have 5 in this one) and W7 64 bit with about 8 gigs of RAM. I have a 2.2 Dore2Duo office machine, I may swap out those computers and move the hard drives from the office box to the DAW and visa versa. We shall see how this DAW runs as is with 8 PE. I will start a project later next week after I get back from San Francisco. So far it runs the same files with the 64 bit double precision engine smoother than 6PE (so far, knock wood)