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.

Kevin designed and builds the Vinyl References. He'll tell you the differences between it and the Maxxed Out. He is a straight shooter.

The Vinyl Ref. will not have the latest mods. That is: current source plate load for the input stage with the new JFET along with changing the series RIAA filter resistor from a series connection to a shunt connection, IXSYS 1N100D/2N100D2 MOSFETs in both current sources (input/output stages) and a different connection for the PS filter choke. These changes make for some rather striking differences. I would certainly recommend the Maxed Out kit over the Vinyl Ref. More so if you opt for the LL1931 input trannies.

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.