Yep unfortunately I suspect this is gunna turn out to be pretty widespread. Just judging by the amount of people I've seen mentioning "small amounts of noise in the quiet parts" or "a few pops"... I'm willing to bet these are all different variations of the same issue, some worse, some better. This is the shit that happens with so many GZ pressings....So I just poked my head in to ask about A/B but I guess I have an answer.
My C/D are fine (not perfect, but well, fine) But A/B has 3-4 moments on each side of distortion (coming out as distinct layers of static on the right channel) that isn't great. I've accepted disappointed over the years, but this is my first heavy sound quality miss. I don't have great expectations of essentials (too much package over substance) but this is a shame -- especially when the c/d is such a contrast. I think I'm pretty forgiving, but well, bummer.
Edit: the contrast with the dead silence of the Sonny Rollins is the best simple expression of quality difference between plants I've heard....RTI ought to use it in an ad
Also I think that's QRP not RTI no?