I did some quick experimenting
When my faders are like on the LEFT: i get a very loud and sharp pop. - i have no instruments connected and this is while the interface has usb power but computer is in sleep mode.
When faders are like on the RIGHT screenshot: i get NO pop. - still no instruments connected and this is while the interface has usb power but computer is in sleep mode.
Is this the phenomena you refereed to in your link?
edit 1: also you state that the pop noise is unavoidable i don't understand that i haven't had this issue before tho?
edit 2: I can easily make this work by just lowering the instrument faders and use them when i need too but its just strikes me as weird that this praised manufacturer RME has this problem that cheaper manufactures have solved?!
Sorry for the rants/spam just had to say something.