Some aftermarket styli replacement have shanks that are just a bit tight and will require some very firm insertion force. I have a couple of those and I was hesitant about using them. But once inserted they were fine and worked well.
Just make sure you don’t have a 2000z or 2000t (or their clone models like 2008) because they have and require a unique shank that is 1/2 the size of all other blob cartridges. For example, if a 66e/x or 2000e has a 1/8” shank, a 2000z cartridge will have a 1/16” shank.
So to answer your original question, yes you can use one blob cartridge stylus for another with the exception of the 1/2 sized shank 2000z/2000t cartridges or their respective clone models.
The hole size is obviously different and is clearly visible once you have a 2000z cart next to a 2000e model (or any of those clones)
It’s unfortunate that Empire decided to make basically 4 different designs in the same body shape and then decided to give these 4 models (4000d,66,2000, and the small shank 2000z) literally hundreds of different model numbers even though they will fall into one of the 4 families.
What makes it even more confusing is the suffix on some of the models like 2000e vs 2000z makes all of the difference.
But any of the first 3, 4000d, 66, or 2000e models all have the exact same size styli and they all will fit in one another , even if they are very snug or tight.
The biggest difference between any of those ORIGINAL Empire styli is the amount of high frequency response (hf sparkle) that you get when you swap out one for the other. They are voiced differently for different modes. For example a 66 e/x is voiced differently than a 2000e/iii. The 66 has lower inductance and inherently will have more hf response than a higher inductance cart like the 2000e given the same stylus. So Empire voiced each of their designs to be “flat” as possible within the given design and diamond cut.
That’s getting a bit more complex than what your asking about but I thought you might want to know. It’s not something that is to worry about too much because I have swapped out a lot of them and they all perform great and are very enjoyable. Depends more on your setup and hearing abilities as we age.
The biggest difference and most important thing that I’ve run across is the difference between original Empire styli versus modern replacement styli made overseas. They mostly have a different sound to them and in my experience about 70 % of the time they have too much midrange push. Annoyingly so. Some sounded terrible that I returned them. But some sounded good enough to keep and use.
But the original empire styli or ones manufactured back in 1960,70s, or 80s for Empire all sounded as good or better than current aftermarket’s.
Hope this helps.
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