Flipping record causing series of loud pops

It is an interaction between the phono stage and static electricity from removing the vinyl it is probably sensitive to this and some gear is more sensitive than others to static.

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.