Denon D5000 Cable Sheath Quality Concerns

I've had my Denon D5000s not even 3 months, and only put at most 250 hours on them, yet I am already seeing the sorts of levels of damage/wear seen in the pictures below. The black outer sheath has actually split in the first picture, not just separated to allow the wadding through as is the case a little further along the cable. I look after these immaculately, always ensuring I minimise stress on the cable, especially near the jack. Is this typical of D5000s and Denon's build quality in 2011? Has anyone else experienced this?

I've put in for a replacement with the retailer, (advancedheadphones.co.uk) who are famed for their customer service, so hopefully shouldn't have any problems getting this sorted, I just want to know whether this is going to be a recurring issue for me?

Thanks for any replies/advice.

Thanks for letting me know, it helps to build up my background knowledge. Has this happened with D2000s to your knowledge?

The sheath is lovely and supple and soft, perhaps to its detriment? As for being a better cable, I think that refers to the actual wire inside being 7N OFC, ie. better quality than whatever is in the D2000 cable.

Thanks, I hope they do too, I love them so really hoping that's the case as well.

Do you know if the sheath on the D7Ks is the same? I was aware the wire is, just wondering if you knew about the casing.

Thanks for your information and advice pdupiano. I had suspected the wire inside would be fine too, so it's good to know that that's likely to be the case. Regarding techflex, would fitting this over the cable require reterminating, or can it slip over the jack? I hadn't really planned on recabling at this stage, it would be my first real foray into headphone DIY (asides from stuffing my pads!) and don't really want to risk ruining my best headphones. As for cutting down the cable, I currently have it well stored in 7" diameter coils with two velcro cable tidies around it to keep it to a sensible length as to avoid the problems with catching it on things that you mentioned.

It's not that it really bothers me, you'd have just thought they could provide something better given what you're paying for these sorts of headphones in the first place. Another possibility I had considered was slipping some 2:1 ratio black heatshrink over the jack and then heating so it shrinks around the cable, what do you think about that?

Thanks again

Ah well that's useful to know, I didn't realise that techflex had elastic qualities. I've had a replacement pair processed by the retailer now, so they should be with me in a few days, shame I'll have to burn in again though.

I think I'll use 3 or 4:1 heatshrink as you suggested, on the first 6" of cable coming out of the jack when they arrive, hopefully this shouldn't look too untidy; just like an extension of the reinforcement at the jack. If I don't like it I can always cut it off. Thanks once again for all your help pdupiano.

It would be good to know if anyone out there has owned D5Ks with a cable sheath that has lasted well?

Update:

New pair arrived today, and I have to say these look more promising than the last, with an apparently tighter weave on the outer sheath, here's hoping anyway!

If the same issue crops up again, then I'll probably go for the heatshrink idea.

As an aside, having received a brand new replacement pair, it has become how obvious how much these headphones burn in.

Thanks for all your contributions