Headphone clicks and pops...

This has been driving me nuts for a while now.  About once a week my audio card (SB Audigy 2) or _something_ in the system decides to output clicks and pops.  Even if I _mute_ the audio in the master control panel, it only slows the rate of the clicks and pops.  And I'm not talking about a click or a pop here or there.  This is incessant clicking and popping and it drives me bananas.  I've tried updating my audio drivers, purchasing new headphones, and doing everything I can think of to try to get it to stop popping and clicking.  I've searched Google and done just about everything suggested.  Nothing is working.  I'm a dunce when it comes to understanding how audio works...I just expect it to work flawlessly without annoying me in any way (is that so unreasonable a request?).

 

Help!