Joelv, if you saw the earlier thread from June, although the stylus profile does a lot, any ticks and pops it picks up are going to be part of the signal. It is the interaction between the preamp and the cartridge that will 'put the noise in another plane'. An example of the interaction is ringing, wherein the cartridge is inadequately loaded by the preamp/cable system. Ringing will enhance ticks and pops.
Loading the cartridge will eliminate ringing (MMs are no different in this regard as compared to MC cartridges, although the loading values are usually a lot higher). Note that different MM cartridges will load differently with the same preamp, IOW the differences you have heard may have nothing to do with the stylus at all. You won't be able to tell that until you have loaded each cartridge correctly and then performed your auditions again.
Loading the cartridge will eliminate ringing (MMs are no different in this regard as compared to MC cartridges, although the loading values are usually a lot higher). Note that different MM cartridges will load differently with the same preamp, IOW the differences you have heard may have nothing to do with the stylus at all. You won't be able to tell that until you have loaded each cartridge correctly and then performed your auditions again.