I too had seen the report of the new lathe ... AWVSWL1200 .. on another forum as well and how good a lathe it was for the price, how , over time it has faired would be interesting to follow up.
I'd found at the the time reference to Laguna Lahtes ...
http://www.lagunatools.com/lathes... an the same model is in their range, it is interesting to see the video and what they have to say, I have liked what they have said, an should I need a replacement it's been on my list, at the price for what it offers, from AX it's likely to be out of China, as most all lathes are today, so as I found the wife's M900, a few rough and sharp edges an a burr on the thread, other than that a fine running little lathe, but not as the 1200.
So other that any one having a bad report, it's should make a nice replacement, will watch for the out come as to how you go.
Cheers, David