Sound quality issues

[anycleavers]

After reading about Rockbox and stumbling onto this fine site, I decided to take the plunge into the H10 world. I've got a Creative Micro photo on it's last legs so a nice H10 would be welcome.

Being on a tight budget I bought on ebay a 'system files missing' 20 gig unit, knowing that with a little effort I could get it working. With help from all you guys, it was easier than expected. I formatted, reinstalled firmware 2.51. Loaded a bunch of music on it using MediaMonkey (love the Monkey, couldn't be easier). Rebooted, refreshed the DB. Bam, everything is working as it should. Grabbed my favorite 'phones ready to groove, but OH NO, everything sounded like crap.

The best way to describe it is the volume is very low, even when at it's highest setting and there is massive static. You can just barely hear the music playing (correctly) underneath the static.

I tried everything I could. Formatted the drive (slow format) reloaded the firmware, tried the European firmware (I'm in the US but the player was shipped from Canada). Nothing helped, no change what so ever.

I read these boards 'till my vision was blurry, searched for sound issue problems and the like with no luck. Took it apart to check and see if the headphone jack was ok. It looks fine, nothing loose.
The thing is, the player is in perfect condition, not a scratch,dent or otherwise. Everything works and runs fine. Menus and all navigates perfect. So what could it be?

I even Rockboxed it. Rb installed perfect, runs perfect. I can navigate all menus and change settings but the sound is still bad, no difference from the OF. What the heck could it be?

Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions at all? I'm up to try anything to get this running, otherwise I will probably go ahead and resell it on ebay. Is it possible that the "amp" is blown or something like that? Should I keep this and try to find a parts unit and switch out the motherboard? What would you guys/girls suggest. Thanks for you help. Sean

[druidfire217]

Have you tried different headphones? Could be those are what is shot, as opposed to the unit. If so, a relatively easy fix.

[anycleavers]

Yep. tried three different working 'phones. All had the same exact sound issues.

Is there nothing that can be done? No one has had the same issues? Do I have to accept that it's dead and move on?

[blackthunder]

it *might* be a dirty connection in the headphone jack, maybe replacing it or trying to clean it? its a long shot though if its as bad sounding as you say