Nuendo, UAD-1
imo

Digital Performer with waves, altiverb, uad-1

Logic audio and Waves plugs

Unless you depend on using the Protools software there is no reason to buy PT.

I have UAD-1 and TC powercore and there´s a lot of dsp-power on those cards. Greatplug-instoo, and most of them are very popular as TDM-versions aswell. These two cards cover most of your needs, especially since the powercore is an open platform and the number of third-partyplug-insis growing. You can use multiple TC and/or UAD cards.

Your computers VST will probably max out before you use the maximum power on these two cards. Run them on a G5 and you´ll be laughing&dancing all the way to digidesigns funeral. Stay native, that´s the future !

I´d like to quote an engineer-friend of mine who recently bought a big ProTools HD-rig, mostly because of the client-demand-dilemma. "Getting Protools is basically standing in a corner, face against the wall, pants pulled down, bent over, just waiting for the next surprise from digidesign " :D

I love the McDSP plugs on PT. Their filterbanks, and E6 eq are great at cutting away the crap from a set of drums... It would take a ton of outboard gear to make up for their use.