Static electricity: Unique to Vinyl Systems?

Richard, am I correct in thinking that the phono stage is the Jolida JD9? And if so, to what values have you set the input resistance, input capacitance, and gain?

In particular, if you presently have input resistance set to a high setting, especially 47K, try changing it to the minimum possible value (100 ohms). If the problem is being caused by RFI, resulting from static or anything else, that may help. If it does, you could then increase the value one step at a time to determine a setting that is optimal sonically but does not result in the popping and clicking.

Also, I'm thinking that since the noises apparently occurred with the prior phono stage only while a record was playing (per your second post in the thread), that symptom and the new symptom of noises occurring while no record is playing may have two different causes. The original symptom perhaps being static-related, and perhaps requiring either just destaticizing your records, or experimenting further with turntable grounding. And the new problem perhaps resulting from the Jolida either somehow being more sensitive to RFI, or being defective and generating the noises itself.

Are you sure that the noises you presently hear when a record is not being played sound similar to what you heard during record playback with the previous equipment?

Hope that helps. Regards,
-- Al

Presumably you have tried a zerostat -- or similar static electricity "cleaner"?

BTW, Al's suggestion above is actually a very dependable way of optimising the phono input impedance for yr cartridge!

Al, I'm not certain if the prior phono stage didn't make the same sounds when it wasn't playing a record. It certainly did while playing a record, but it has a loud transformer hum (not present in the Jolida) that is really noticeable when no music plays, to the point where I would immediately shut off the phono or the power amp when an lp would stop, due to fear of frying my speakers. I'd have to reinsert it answer that question. I can also try playing with the impedance of the Jolida (it is indeed set to 47K, per their suggestion to match the cart).
i didn't buy the zerostat because I'm not convinced this is a static issue. maybe I'll spend another $100. I've been hydrating the room and the tt to eliminate static, but no results.

There's probably no need to reinsert the old equipment. I think you are saying that the popping and clicking sounds you heard with that equipment while playing a record were very similar to what you hear now with the new equipment when no record is playing. Which answers my question.

But given that you've been using a 47K load impedance, and I assume you were also using that impedance with your prior cartridge which I take it was a moving magnet, I would definitely make the 100 ohm experiment the next order of business. There are multiple reasons why that might help.

Regards,
-- Al

A noticeable hum in the phono when not playing could be eletromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by nearby power transformers. I had this problem recently caused by nearby outside air conditioning/heating units and other nearby electric devices with power transformers. Proximity of phono/pre-amp to power amp transformers is a common scenario for this. The solution is to add distance from phono gear to any nearby power consuming electric devices. Pops/clicks could be related to this, but not sure. The hum itself is a clear problem to address and see what happens.

In my case, I was able to eliminate the hum completely by placing my low level phono step up pre-amp inside rolled up mu metal foil and adjusting the location somewhat. Mu metal foil is inexpensive and designed for this purpose.

In any case, look for nearby devices with power transformers and try adding distance between your phono section and that device and see if hum level decreases or changes with location. That would at least help identify the source of teh problem. How to resolve from there would depend. If the phono pre-amp is integrated into the same box as other amp componenets, it could be an inherent problem or design flaw that would be tougher to resolve. I do not recall if you use an outboard phono pre-amp or a phono pre-amp built into a pre-amp or integrated or receiver perhaps?