Audio Systems: loud popping noise, philips mx6050d, stereos tv

Question
i have a Philips MX6050D (a dvd player / surround sound receiver) that is
maybe 2 years old.  i moved to a new apartment, and set it up, and it seemed
to be working fine.  then i got a new couch, and my apartment because SUPER
static electricity "charged."  around the same time, my surround sound stereo
makes verrry loud "popping" sounds every so often.  i'm wondering if the
static electricity has something to do with this annoying noise (it is SO
annoying, since the pop's are about as loud as the speakers will go, even if i
have the volume turned all the way down)

other things:  my apartment building is pretty old and the wiring is pretty
bad.  i'm not sure if that has anything to do with this problem as well.  ALSO,
this dvd player/surround sound receiver is starting to poop out slowly... so i
was thinking of getting a new one in the near future.   would i run into the
same 'popping noise' problem with a different stereo?

thanks so much!!

Answer
first, i'd try using a humidifier of some type to reduce the static electrtcity, alot of stereos, tv's and such can be literally destroyed by walking across the room and touching the sets. running a humidifier will reduce this immensely. if problem doesn't stop with increased humidity, static has probably damaged it, and i'd go ahead and replace it like you said. but be sure to keep humidity levels up. this allways happens during dry seasons.