Static from Aesthetix phono stage when tt not on

Bill, my first thought would be to use the basic testing methods we would use with any component. First unplug the entire phono rig from your preamp, and see if there is any change. If it goes away, the problem is somewhere before the preamp. If it doesn't, then it is in the preamp or after. Assuming the problem went away, plug in just the IO without the turntable. If problem shows, then check the IO by swap-out. Being a dealer, you must have some other phono section around somewhere. Swap out the IO for another phono section and see if the sound goes away. If it does, then you know it's in the IO. If not, then continue the process back to the turntable, with the swap-out method. Obviously, you can't swap out for a new Rockport, but if everything else checks out, you may have to just plug in some other turntable to see if that does it. With new equipment, once you have isolated the problem down to the offending item, then have it replaced by the manufacturer under warranty.

Bill, it seems to me like it is a leaky cap, possibly in the power supply of the IO. I don't know the layout of the IO, but since it has dual power supplies, can you switch the left power supply module to the right and see if the noise changes to the right channel? This might isolate it to either the power supply or the audio section. If you can pin it down to one, or the other, it will identify the item to replace.A cap problem would occur sometimes after warmup. If it were mine, I would return it under warranty. This is too expensive an item to be playing around with, and they should be happy to let you have a replacement for your new item and let them worry about fixing the problem. Their reputation is on the line, and I doubt that they want any questionable units floating around in the hands of unsatified customers. If you bought the IO second hand, then have the factory or your technician check it out. I think that isolating the problem as best you can is all you can or should do, and then let a repair professional handle it from there. I hope this helps you.