[thelist] Replacement for Cool Edit

[thisismatt thelist]

I've only just discovered (OK, I know it's old news!) that Cool Edit has
been absorbed into the Adobe galaxy and has been superseded by Adobe
Audition.  I've also just found out that I can upgrade for $169!

Time for a replacement then I think - or at least to look for one.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for audio editing software
that costs a LOT less than Adobe wants?  Cool Edit cost me next to nothing I
recall.

Thanks in advance.

Matt