What constitutes a "high output" moving coil cart?

Nsgarch is exactly correct, unless you will be considering the multi-thousand $ MC's, there are many fine MM's that are worth considering. Some would argue that EVEN IF you will be considering top tier MC's, you should consider a MM. Read this and learn :-)

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&&&/Who-needs-a-MM-cartridge-type-when-we-ha

Another very important point to consider, which further supports the MM
route: In my experience, most preamps' MM section sound better (cleaner/simpler signal path) than their respective MC stage. Having said all that, if yours can accommodate (and you can afford) something like the Benz M2 MC, and you like/prefer the sound of a good MC, that is also a viable alternative. Good luck.

Thank you Frogman - very useful.

Robert

Dear Rbloom659: As already Nsgarch/Frogman posted the HOMC unfortunatelly IMHO is the " worst " alternative against either LOMC one or the MM/MI alternative.

The Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood is a very good option and seems to me that in your system you will enjoy it a lot over what you have today or what any HOMC could shows you. The Hifiharv advise is a good one too.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

It is important to find out where your phone stage starts getting noisy. If the cartridges output is too low, any benefits of the HOMC will just be lost. Everyone will react different. Every person has their own taste also.

In the '70s or '80s, they had a 4 channel LP system called CD4. Those cartridge had a higher limit to their frequency response. They came out with a new stylus shape around that time also. I remember giving it a try, and it was the worst investment for myself. I bought the Audio Technica CD4 compatible, the Empire 4000 series, and possibly another brand, to run this new 4 channel LP. Everything ended up being a waste for me. I even tried these in my other turntables, friends tried them, and they didn't want them either. They may be in the closet yet, as it couldn't be all the different turntable, arm, phono stage combination's mismatch. Others thought these cartridges were great.

So making sure the cartridge gets along with the arm, and preamp is important. The way it sounds is just someone else's opinion. I use all three of these types. They all could sound great, or poor.