Hmm...I suppose I'm glad to hear it. After I posted my question, I went back and listened (or tried to listen) to the rest of the CD. It's all over the album! It's unfortunate, because it seems like it would be a pretty good CD if it weren't for that insufferable crackling. Glad to know I'm not losing my mind (or my ears) yet, and thanks for the responses.

M22ti mains, EP175 sub, VP150 center, QS4 surrounds