Art Audio Vinyl Reference vs Maxxed Out K&K

I just recently read on the Art Audio website something to the effect that Kevin Carter either builds the Reference for AA or that he designed it. I think the latter is the case. Or do you know this already? Therefore I would expect the two to sound very similar to each other and any differences could be due to capacitor and resistor choices, differences between and among the various Lundahl transformers used in both units. IOW, nothing that I could not "fix" myself with a soldering gun. You might think that since the new K&K Maxx phono is a later design, it might be a tad better, or not. You might even ask Kevin. He is a straight shooter, as far as I can tell.

Dear John, Based on another post you recently made elsewhere, I get the impression that there is yet another balanced phono stage designed by Kevin that is either in development or about to be released. Can you tell me/us anything about that one? Thanks.

I spoke to Kevin myself recently. Seems that his pesky customers and the business they are bringing is getting in the way of finalizing the Sonus Veritas(?). So, if you guys will just leave Kevin alone, he will eventually market the SV. But I saw a post on this product as old as one year, so don't hold your breath(s); the SV was descrbed as imminent even in that year-old post.

Taylor, et al. I hope you know I was joking in my post above, wherein I suggested that in my brief conversation with him, Kevin regretted that he was stymied in completing the Sonus Veritas by "business". He seemed quite happy with things as they are and indicated in no way that he has any plans of changing his business model. It seemed that the SV is just a fun project for him that he likes to pursue when he can grab some time for it. So, chill. It's all good.