Csmithbarc,
Cartridges have varing levels of output, from low output MC's to high output MM's. If you use a high output MM cartridge just about any phono stage will have enuf gain, but many built in phono stages are not high gain and cannot drive low to medium low output cartridges. You need to make sure the amount of gain you have in your phono section is enuf for the amount of output from the cartridge.
Cartridges have varing levels of output, from low output MC's to high output MM's. If you use a high output MM cartridge just about any phono stage will have enuf gain, but many built in phono stages are not high gain and cannot drive low to medium low output cartridges. You need to make sure the amount of gain you have in your phono section is enuf for the amount of output from the cartridge.