Audio Technica 12XE and 12SA


I have owned both the above cart's. for years, and they  both have nearly unused original styli.The SA has a lower output  than the XE, and a Shibata stylus;however, the XE actually sounds better in direct comparison. Is this due to the XE's higher output? Since the styli are interchangeable,  any thoughts about putting the SA stylus on the XE body?  
boofer