Right on. But I would still use the MC setting/input on the phono stage with the high output cart?
Your MC input will load your cart at 100 ohms. Most HOMC carts (defined as 1mV or greater) require 47k load.
So while you will likely need your MC input for it's greater gain with carts in the lowish HO range (1.0 - 2.5 mV), the loading will be wrong.
With a passive I'd go with either:
(1) a healthy output MM cart in the 4 - 6 mV range, into the MM input.
or
(2) a HOMC cart with output up around 2.5 mV that is OK with 100 ohm load (kindof scarce, I think) and cross your fingers that your MC input provides sufficient gain.
In your case, because of the passive, outputs in the 1.0 to 2.5 mV range are kindof no-man's land.
Lose the passive and your world becomes much easier, with many more cartridge choices. With an active line section, there is a "
chance" that carts in the 1.0 - 2.5 mV output range will be gutsy enough into your MM input. It depends on the overall "
sensitivity profile" of your rig (ie. speaker efficiency, amp input sensitivity, preamp gain).