Awhile back, a 1G (original) iPod I was using developed a crackling/intermittent audio problem in the headphone socket. In the beginning, it simply crackled. Eventually the sound in one of the ears disappeared altogether. I sent it to ipodresq.com, and they made it work 'as good as new'. Highly recommended.

I posted my earbud recommendations about two weeks ago. I just noticed that my current Sony's were getting a bit tired, so I bought one pair of each of my recommendations. The joke's on me - Amazon raised the price on the better earbuds just after Christmas. Cost an extra $5.