Ableton Live 
ok one word: workflow  ive worked with cubase and fruity before i switched to live. in live, you write new leads while beat, pads bassline are playing, record automation/vocals while you playback the whole track, everything can be moved/altered while you hear the track or just a looped scene. 
you can record a whole track live as an arrangement, everything triggered/played live becomes your arrangement. 
like you have a garageband.  and you can hear it in the track. this is actually music making. 
then later you draw/change automation in arrangement view fit mixing levels etc. 
or you can start your track in arrangement, like on normal sequencers. 
i cant say much more to compare it to other hosts as im woking for a year now with live only. 
the sound is decent for sure.