Make sure you load the Empire with at least 300 pF of capacitance. That's what the recommended value is. Without that, you can't really compare it to the Grado or any other cart that likes to live in a lower picofarad range.
I think I know the one you mean! It's a bit of a handful, the 888, but it can sing beautifully.
We need a good thread with how to adjust capacitance. Most have no idea what it is, how to do it - or the difference it makes.
. . . Can somebody please explain this? Thanks!