From the sonic mailing list I just learned that Sonic X will depend on the sonic hardware.
I must admit that the chances that I will buy soundblade have just dramatically slimmed. I simply know that the sonic hardware will be completely out of our budget. I was still hoping that one could buy soundblade, and eventually move up to sonic X to get surround etc. Now that doesn't seem to be an option any more, meaning that I will be better off saving for Sequoia.
I am sure some people appreciate the hardware offers from sonic, and I am happy to accept some limitations in processing power etc when one doesn't use it, but the days of hardware dependent mastering solutions are long over. Even Pyramix is available host based now.
Please, SonicStudio, start being more realistic. You don't have the monopoly any more, and your direct competition is no longer Sonic HD but Sequoia.
And it may well be someone else soon, who asks for a lot less money.
Johannes