New Cartridge Causing Intermittent Popping

You know, I've never had an issue with static buildup that I know of, but this early summer we are already in a drought. Humidity today in Chicagoland is 27%! Static could be an issue. 

I've set my capacitance at 150pf and resistance at 350R.  

I also just rechecked the Feickert setup with HiFi News & Record Reviews protractor --linear offset technique, which I think is similar to Feickert's Baerwald settings. Things were very close but I did tweak alignment just a smidge (<1 mm).  

I just made it through a side with no popping.  I'll report back. 

@cleeds , I'm using the 60dB gain setting.  

@duckmanst3, I will check that now.   

I've now tried the following:

1. Re-set cartridge alignment
2. Increased VTF to near upper level of manufacturer's recommendation, about ~1.9
3. Set capacitance at 800pF
4. Set resistance at 300R
5. Changed gain from 60dB to 48dB (popping still occurred just as frequently just not as bombastic)

I'm now going to take out my National 6DJ8 Japanese made Mullard tubes and put in Electro Harmonix 6922s--Manley spec--to see if that could help. 

Ok. Still popping away.  I'll try adjusting resistance. 

6.  Swapped tubes. No difference.

7.  Replaced headshell leads with super snug fitting heavier gauge.  Let's see! I will note that the last cartridge (before the Ethos) that used this headshell and leads fit more snugly.  

I'm optimistic this is the issue.  Loading, gain, cleanliness of record, etc. made no difference. 

I'm 5 minutes into a new side and no popping --fingers crossed!

Thanks @yogiboy ! I agree that this stylus type has real potential to be noisier. This is a loud popping sound--not necessarily what I associate with surface noise. 

I noticed the headshell lead wires were particularly loose and didn't allow me to snap them more snugly with surgical pliers or needlenose.  Now, I just replaced them and there's no popping--thusfar. 

@mulveling ,  As usual, you are so conscientious!  I'm glad you chimed in.  Even if this doesn't fix my issue, it's important to note. 

New headshell lead wires helped --a bit. But I still have it and it is as you describe. A LOUD pop. I've never had that before with this table, phono pre and numerous carts and amps.  I'm going to make a few adjustments. I also have subwoofers (REL T9is) that are barely on.  I mean set around 30 hz and volume so low that they are nearly undetectable. Let me turn them off. 

Looks like it could just be static buildup.  Ironic that I've never experienced this in a Chicago winter, yet I'm getting it in June. 

I'm struggling now!  I may need to call the dealer. 

I've now tried cleaning records with my machine.  I cannot imagine there's that much static left. I've never had this issue. 

Ground wires are locked in place.  Very frustrating. 

Put my Benz Micro LPS on. Played the same last 4-5 sides--no issues.  Put my Kiseki on -same result. 

I called the dealer. They said this is some sort of internal issue with the cartridge. Exchange is underway. 

Thank you everyone. I'll update you Thursday when the new Ethos arrives. 

@yogiboy, if that is the case, why would a manufacturer make a cartridge that injects loud popping every minute or so during playback?  It's useless functioning like this. What other fine line stylus cartridges do you have experience with? Did they make routine loud popping sounds?  These popping sounds do not resemble surface noise in any way.  

Thanks @kfscoll , this makes me feel a bit better as I would hate the issue to be in my system.  I really appreciate it. 

Thank you @mijostyn !  Your view makes a lot of sense.  I'm thinking there's something loose internally--maybe the ground connection the green ground post?  I really appreciate your wisdom. 

I really like this cartridge. It started to open up after just 3-5 hours and it was knocking my socks off. 

Thank you @noromance !  I agree--so often these situations get messy and even ore frustrating. 

@duckmanst3 , philosophically you are correct! :)

Status update.  The dealer was super gracious. The shipped out the new cartridge and it arrived quickly.  I pulled out the Feickert and got to work. 

This is a very easy cartridge to setup on a Technics 1200 GAE (most similar to the G)--grand class anniversary. 

I've made it through the first side of a record without a single popping noise!  

I highly recommend this cartridge.  My direct experience in the last 3 years involved  Kiseki Purpleheart, Benz Micro LPS, Audio Technics ART9 (the original), Dynavector 20x2, and the sole MM, a Ortofon 2m Black.  

Thanks to all for the excellent advice.  I'm very grateful for those who encouraged good diagnostics and going back to the dealer.  

Bill, your problem would make me go mad for sure!  It takes patience, diagnostics, logic, and luck to get out of these situations. 

I was also concerned about the Chinook. I'm pretty confident in my skills, but I was concerned something happened from several upgrades I made to the unit.  I told myself, I knew what I was doing and Manley even approved of them, but you never know. Even experienced techs make mistakes, equipment fails, and with electronics weird stuff can happen.