SAS, you are correct, but while I flew with Nick Lappos for a lot of the 76A development, I switched back to S-70 projects immediately thereafter. Nick will ( I trust ) correct my recollection of the 76A Vne point, which is that it was controlled not by structural considerations, blade stall, vibration, nor tip mach number or power, but by the fact that beyond the 156 ( 155? ) speed we could not demonstrate the classic fixed wing longitudinal static stability stick position slope. It was pretty flat. So we left it there.
And yes, you are right, the ship had additional level flight speed which was left on the table, so to speak.