I have just bought a new Creative Zen V + (8Gb) to replace my Creative Micro and am a little disappointed with the sound quality.

Before and during each track there is some hissing noise (like you used to get on analogue audio tapes). All tracks are ripped from CD @ 192KPS.

The Micro had no noise at all, so I am wondering is anybody else has had this problem - is is a 'feature' of solid-state rather than micro HDD???

My earphones are Creative EP640 - earbuds that block out ambient noise - this makes the hissing much worse, but I also hear the hiss on my Grado SR60's.

Creative support have suggested the usual (upgrade firmware etc.) without success.

I'm wondering if I should send it back...?

Cheers

I would

any chance you could try one in a shop or something to see if it's a common problem?

I hope it's just a one-off, becuase I'm a big creative fan, and want them to do well against the iPod.

It is on it's way back to Creative as we speak...