Videodrome, all you say should be true on the principle of you-get-what-you-pay-for, but LP Spinnin' Fool asked for the report of someone who had actually tried listening to a high-end low-output cartridge through an outboard phono section, and could state on the basis of actual experience, not expectation, how the result compared with the 2150's performance. I haven't, but my experience in general is that you always pay for what you get and sometimes - NOT always - get what you paid for. Not the same thing at all. I hope someone else answers the question LSF asked.

I suggest that in the audio realm, and even more with high-end audio, the most rational attitude is one of aggressive, hard-nosed agnosticism: take nothing on faith.