Geocycle,
I have not done may miles yet but my first impressions are that it is very similar to the Sherpa. I'm getting used to the Rohloff and I like it. The noise in gears 1-7 is not that bad and gears 8-14 are silent and very good. I like the simplicity of the whole set up and the ease you can change gears.
I don't think one bike is better than the other, they are both very good just different in their own ways.
Bob