Static electricity and my Denafrips do not get along

I’ve never had this problem before on other gear but my Pontus 2 freaked out when I touched it last 2 nights. When I touch it lights fade and music fades out. Take my hand off and all goes back to normal. It has gone into stand by mode by its self. It has not done any damage it sounds fine and plays well. 
 

It has been cold and using fireplace both times it happened. After looking back I had shoes on both time if that matters. I’m going barefoot now. I did pull out my static wrist tether haven’t used it yet but I am a little paranoid don’t want to fry it. Do  I really need to resort to a tether in the winter a little extreme! 
 

I did remember the ddc going into Pontus had its  ground plug removed in its power cord to solve a turntable ground loop problem from a while back. I forgot that cord was in there. I removed that cord and put in better power cord. Not sure is that could cause a problem. 
 

Anyone experience what I have with static and how do you address this issue. I did contact Denafrips and was told to touch unit before pushing buttons. I was told this long ago and always touch chassis before pushing buttons. That’s what caused the problem touching the chassis.