Thanks for the info.....I have always used Steinberg progs simply cause that is what everyone in my circle who records music uses...I have Nuendo and Cubase 5 I also use Wavelab 6 another Steinberg prog. All have a variable bit rate up to 32 bit float as opposed to the 24 bit as per protools.
The relevance of which software is best or which can produce what is pretty moot. Most of it boils down to preference and what is available and most important what your friends use....probably the best reason for choosing a program..... tutorials and fixes and help are easier from someone more experienced who is using the same stuff.
In my area most folks use Cubase and PCs....so I would be crazy to use something that is twice the price and nobody has experience using.

One thing for sure it would be silly to spend thousands on mics, soundcards, interfaces and other hardware and then try to use a prog that you cannot get immediate help with when you run into probs.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055