Go to the drug store and get some 90+ alcohol and some of those little brush-tipped things used to clean between teeth (the ones just big enough to fit in the plug). Saturate the brush with the alcohol and swab the inside of the socket while making sure that the open end of the socket is facing down to keep excess alcohol from running into the recorder itself. Use a fresh brush, again with alcohol, to swab the outside of the plug that goes into the socket. Let dry and try. Please report back. I am planning to buy an A10 but this could be a deal breaker for me.