Sirspeedy and I experienced the same static "popping" issue a few month ago.
With help of Atmasphere I could tell that it was a grounding issue and it has been resolved by ground wiring the TT platter bearing shaft with the metal base of the Phantom with masking tape, and another wire from there to the ground plug of the phonopreamp, together with the groundwire of tonearmcable.
Bob Graham was also very heplful and attentive until problem solved.
With help of Atmasphere I could tell that it was a grounding issue and it has been resolved by ground wiring the TT platter bearing shaft with the metal base of the Phantom with masking tape, and another wire from there to the ground plug of the phonopreamp, together with the groundwire of tonearmcable.
Bob Graham was also very heplful and attentive until problem solved.