Anybody heard the new EAR turntable?


Rumor has it that this is a great new turntable. Has anyone here heard it?
thsalmon
HP has reviewed it in the TAS. Rave review. I wonder whether other listeners have other opinions? How would it compare with say VPI HRX or Brinkmann Balance, or other top models in the same price range?
Alectiong, yours is my question also, especially as HP refers to a more expensive turntable from Germany. I also heard the Australian turntable at CES and you could clearly hear how good it was.

I presently have a Shindo Labs/Garrard 301 system and know how good it is. I know no one will ever do a comparison between it and the EAR.
Tbg, I think the Australian turntable is extremely expensive.
I am getting a bit cautious with magazine rave reviews. Even from lengends like HP, I learn to use a pinch of salt. Absolutely no disrespect to HP, a few years back, I bought a combo of Maggie 3.6R + Sunfire sig subwoofer based on his recommendation. It turned out to be a disaster in my room. His rave reviews of Hurricane amp, Gamut stuff, Lector CD player all kind of flip-flopped subsequently.
Alectiong, I had similar experiences with HP's recommendations but years earlier. Nevertheless, his reviews are the only ones that I read thoroughly, even though I seldom follow them.

As you say where the EAR falls among the best tables is of interest to me.