Scout ground question

I recently picked up a new Scout and a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena phono preamp here on Agon. I have mild hum coming from the speakers and some occasional static like popping (without a record playing). I am using Signal Cable Silver Resolution phono cable that includes a ground wire. The Nova is battery powered and my preamp is battery powered (Dodd). Cartridge is the Dynavector 20X low output. I had to set the gain on the Nova at 60db to get volume to normal listening levels with the output at the 11 O'clock position on my preamp.

The Scout comes with a ground wire pre-connected from the tonearm (standard arm). Therefore, I have not yet connected a ground between the Scout and Nova. So the question is, should I also run a ground from the Scout to the Nova and, if so, should I disconnect the tonearm ground? Also, could the high gain setting on the Nova contribute to the problem?

Thanks for the help. Yet to come - varioius VTA and VTF questions ;)