Anyone have this turntable issue?

OP:

I have done everything to avoid static in the system. I'm quite sure it is not static.

elizabeth:

It has to be static. No other possible thing.

jea48:

I agree with elizabeth, it has to be static.

Simple enough to test. If its static then it will pop even before the stylus touches down, the instant its close enough for a charge to zap across the gap. Otherwise it will pop only after gliding over the vinyl to finally drop into the groove.

And so as Richard Dawson so often proclaimed..... "Survey says......"

Did you recently install this cartridge?
If you are using separate components, is the preamp new to your system?
You are sure with low and high volume that you are not hearing any irregularities?
Pending those answers, eliminating static is not too hard: 1. Get rid of fabric turntable mats and replace with either a cork mat which you can likely get from Amazon or otherwise from U-Turn Audio. OR you can get a Herbies Way Excellent II Turntable Mat. 2. Get a Zerostat and use it. 

I have the SOTA Nova with SME V and Ortofon Quintet Black. Ortofon ST7 step up and Sutherland DUO Phono amp into Bryston SP3 preamp. Everything is grounded, air is humid. I use Furutech static discharger, I don't brush my records, and I have a static drain on the turntable. Not much chance of static here! Even if it were static, how could it pass the volume control which is turned all the way down?