The cartridge I have on the Pioneer PL-516 is a Empire 2000 E/III. It has a clear plastic cover surrounding the stylus which can be brought down when not in use for protection. The problem I'm finding is that this clear plastic is picking up noise that would not be present if it wasn't there...plus it seems very close to the vinyl, and touches it from time to time. Is this simply a bad cartridge design?

I took off the clear protection tip, and adjusted the tonearm counterweight, seems a lot better now.

Advice:
When it's needle time, replace the entire cartridge. Empire changed hands at least twice -- the last owner was a manufacturer of rotgut aftermarket needles. You don't want that.

Richard