I've owned a H-1201 for a couple of years now. Great phono stage, IMHO.
I run my Transfiguration Phoenix S at the +26 setting, sounds great.
$3K seems to be a lot of money for you, but remember, the H1201 is Allnic Audio's entry level phono stage. Of the 5 phono stages in their lineup, the H1201, at $3K is the least expensive, the baby.
The Allnic's are famous for their transformers, not their loading resistors.
Obviously, if you're the type that loves tweaking, and playing around with VTA, Azimuth, VTF, loading, etc., then maybe this is not the phono stage for you. I do know guys who adjust the VTA for every LP they spin. If this is you, then the H1201 is not for you.
I have owned more expensive phono stages that were not user resistance loading friendly. I sent my Walker Audio phono stage back to Lloyd Walker if I wanted to change the loading/gain, as there was soldering involved, with allegedly very fragile nude resistors.
I've heard that Tom Evans phono stages also have to be sent to the factory to adjust the loading/gain.
Not every manufacturer thinks that those tiny dip switches are the best answer to loading, in a puritanical sense.
Everyone is different. If you want to play around with loading, get a phono stage that allows you to do that. If you want bass and treble controls, get a preamp that has those features.
I run my Transfiguration Phoenix S at the +26 setting, sounds great.
$3K seems to be a lot of money for you, but remember, the H1201 is Allnic Audio's entry level phono stage. Of the 5 phono stages in their lineup, the H1201, at $3K is the least expensive, the baby.
The Allnic's are famous for their transformers, not their loading resistors.
Obviously, if you're the type that loves tweaking, and playing around with VTA, Azimuth, VTF, loading, etc., then maybe this is not the phono stage for you. I do know guys who adjust the VTA for every LP they spin. If this is you, then the H1201 is not for you.
I have owned more expensive phono stages that were not user resistance loading friendly. I sent my Walker Audio phono stage back to Lloyd Walker if I wanted to change the loading/gain, as there was soldering involved, with allegedly very fragile nude resistors.
I've heard that Tom Evans phono stages also have to be sent to the factory to adjust the loading/gain.
Not every manufacturer thinks that those tiny dip switches are the best answer to loading, in a puritanical sense.
Everyone is different. If you want to play around with loading, get a phono stage that allows you to do that. If you want bass and treble controls, get a preamp that has those features.