There are two issues that need to be viewed within your question. If you have a low output MC you can purchase a stand alone phono preamp that does all the required amplification and has the RIAA equalization curve. In this case you do not use the MM phono input on your proposed preamp at all, but any other line input will be fine.
Your other option could be a step up transformer (SUT) that boosts the output voltage but does not have any RIAA equalization (There is also some powered “head amps” that do the same with no RIAA). These units are designed to provide some of the required amplification and connect to a MM phono input on the preamp and use its RIAA and amplification function to provide the remainder of what is needed.