Flipping record causing series of loud pops

If you have to mute or adjust the volume then clearly something's wrong; most likely either static or microphonic.

Muting is certainly not a procedure I'd ever be willing to adopt. Anything that sensitive is likely to be a mismatch.

Why not get a top digital system and enjoy the silence when there's no music playing and stop worrying if someone sneezes?

So it is possible after all to sneeze and blow your brains out. Always thought that was just a joke. My condolences.

Well, like a couple mentioned....mute or volume at zero before flipping or changing the source.  Sounds like a static thing....

@mijostyn 
  +1 
  I prefer my M1A over the AR15, but either will remove that pesky static.

The Zerostat is very good at neutralizing static.  Purchased mine in 1975, white with blue logo.  Still works as good as day one.  It warps a piezo electric cell, one way is positive, the other negative.  Try one, put it on your arm round tip against your arm.  Slowly pull and release the trigger, you Will feel the device working.  But, hey, I know nothing, major universities and institutions use it in their labs.  It works.  Like mc said.....