Abruceaudino,
The function of gain in a phono stage is to boost the voltage level of a cartridge's signal up to a level your line stage can handle.
Line stages are designed for components with outputs in the 300mV range (more or less), as is typical of CD players, tape decks, etc. MM and HOMC cartridges like your H2 have outputs in the 2-5mV range, roughly 1/100 the voltage of a CDP. LOMC's have outputs 1/10 of that, just 1/1000th the voltage of a typical line level component.
Here's a good resource for calculating the phono stage gain needed for a particular cartridge output, or vice-versa. http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm
Click on "Preamp Gain Computer". (Note: when they say "preamp" on that site they're referring to phono stage gain only.)
***
One option for a phono stage in the range you're seeking would be a used full function tube preamp from the likes of ARC, c-j or others. The MM phono sections (what you need) of those preamps were often serious overperformers compared to what's in today's entry level units. Even the line stage might impress you, and these vintage preamps can be had for far less than $1K. There are two c-j preamps in the classifieds now, both for under $700. Either one should outplay your PP-2 by a pretty large margin.
The function of gain in a phono stage is to boost the voltage level of a cartridge's signal up to a level your line stage can handle.
Line stages are designed for components with outputs in the 300mV range (more or less), as is typical of CD players, tape decks, etc. MM and HOMC cartridges like your H2 have outputs in the 2-5mV range, roughly 1/100 the voltage of a CDP. LOMC's have outputs 1/10 of that, just 1/1000th the voltage of a typical line level component.
Here's a good resource for calculating the phono stage gain needed for a particular cartridge output, or vice-versa. http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm
Click on "Preamp Gain Computer". (Note: when they say "preamp" on that site they're referring to phono stage gain only.)
***
One option for a phono stage in the range you're seeking would be a used full function tube preamp from the likes of ARC, c-j or others. The MM phono sections (what you need) of those preamps were often serious overperformers compared to what's in today's entry level units. Even the line stage might impress you, and these vintage preamps can be had for far less than $1K. There are two c-j preamps in the classifieds now, both for under $700. Either one should outplay your PP-2 by a pretty large margin.