Pro Tools is the industry standard. It's not the somewhere to start, it's a destination!
There is no equal. Seriously, learn Pro Tools and you have no need for another DAW, it's the benchmark all the others try and reach.
My mate is a sound engineer by trade, he says Pro Tools is second only to tape. (Which leads onto the Foo Fighters latest album - done on tape - previous albums Pro Tools.) And I think you'll find that's the general consensus in the industry. Pro Tools is the bollocks.
Edit: I see, Pro Tools SE.
Barry, a DAW is more about how it's used not how it's sounds, it's the 3rd party plugins and more importantly audio gear that is used alongside it that makes the records great.
Pro tools has been industry for years but not necessarily the best.
Granted it's used in most large studios though I used cubase for years and never got further than putting on eq and reverb. Logic made me realise the amazing things that can be done with audio and mixing, but everyone is different. I know people who love and use ableton and even garage is excellent.
I know someone on this forum who uses sonar, so hopefully they can tell you about about that.
But you're right Barry that for a beginner the free pro tools is the way to go. least then they can decide if they like if or not