The server runs quite smoothly.
Faster?
I might be imagining it, but I'd agree it's faster.
Haven't met any errors, yet. Hopefully that's a good sign.
Though I may go hunting for some...
[Just kidding]

The new server sounds like a good idea, to me at least. I've liked it so far and I'd okay it.
To Makoto:
Maybe if we're both online one day, we can round up a group to head over to the test server.
Quick question:
Any specific purpose for the new server, by the way?