I don't know. I would think the 500 tips might be more powerful, but they're all the cobalt magnets on the short inner end of the cantilever that goes into the MM assembly, right? Is the compliance in the 14-16 range? Because if it's more like 20 or 30 units, it will put out a lot less.

Oh wait, the 880/890 is higher inductance, so it is probably more windings and therefore higher output. Weaker magnets need more coil windings to get the same output, and thus cause higher inductance. Similar magnets with more inductance means more coils for higher output. So yeah, you must be right.

Aren't the D71ee tips very close to bottoming out at 2 grams? Even the slightly stiffer single e is real close to bottoming at 2 grams, but is very clean at 1.75 grams. I would think the slightly more compliant ones you have with the better diamond would be pristine at 1.75. It is the .3 x .7 diamond on the little box insert, right? I might have to get a pair to try now.

Are either of yours loose at all? Did they require the putty? And the weird top of the housing doesn't come up against any obstacles or lack alignment assurance? The 72 body has that top part that it sits against to get it strait on. Strange that Stanton went with a narrow stylus housing rather than that wide technique that goes around the front sides snuggly.