Difference in MC vs MM gain stages just db's????

What differences are there between these two stages? I know that MC is typically a higher gain in terms of decibels, and that the cartridge design is different. But is the phono stage design different for MM and MC, the RIAA curve or whatever?????? I use a high output MC cartridge, and it always sounds better in MC dedicated phono stages than it does in MM stages. It is not a volume issue, it is an inner detail, greater degree of presence and dynamics issue. The MM always sound smooth, big, and great! But the MC has all this,less just a little width, but gobs more inner detail, and definition.

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Robert