Front Headphone Static

I just purchased an XPS 8910. The buzz and static from the front headphone jack is intolerable. 

Dell's Audio FAQ sticky states:

Known Workarounds
- Route the internal cable behind the motherboard tray, away from other devices
- Replacing the cable with a heavier gauge cable
- Attaching the headphone into the rear audio out on the system

The 3rd one worked for me. 

Would it have been TOO MUCH to ask that Dell handle the first two via engineering and manufacturing procedures??? On a $1K plus desktop?

This is the first desktop in 22 years with a problem like this! What's the use of a front headphone jack if it's unusable?