I have owned a Cary SLP-98P with MC phono stage and it had plenty of gain for my Dynavector XX-2 mkII cartridge's 0.28 mV output.
As Brf correctly notes, the 20dB step up transformers bring the Cary's gain to 55 dB, which adding the 20dB in the line stage gives you 75 dB of gain, plenty for just about any cartridge.
As Brf correctly notes, the 20dB step up transformers bring the Cary's gain to 55 dB, which adding the 20dB in the line stage gives you 75 dB of gain, plenty for just about any cartridge.