If it was a CV joint it would be more of a clicking than a ticking. Guess it can be kind of hard to distinguish noises at times.
Take a 3/8 extension or a large screw driver and hold it up against the valve cover (while engine runs) put your ear to the other end and listen. If the clicking is coming from there then its valves.
If its the CV joint youll hear a clicking sound while turning and should check the boots to see if there are any tears in them.