Dynaudio or........?

[am1w]

... O, and my RNS now sounds very sweet and looks wonderful.

[p3asa]

Kevin: I compared the sound quality of the RCD310 vs RNS510 with Darren. The RCD510 was not of interest, available or compared. It probably sounds just as good as the RCD310.

There was no difference in sound quality between my RCD510 and RNS510

[am1w]

There was no difference in sound quality between my RCD510 and RNS510

If this is so then:

(1) The RCD310 should sound better than the RCD510 as there is no conceivable way the RNS510 can sound better than the RCD310 with standard speakers and no Dynaudio
(2) You had a substandard RCD510
(3) Your RNS510 is exceptionally good, though I doubt it
(4) You were listening to an MP3 player or a poor recording
(5) You might have a hearing loss
(6) You might not be as fussy or descerning as me

The above are not meant in any way to criticize.

Even Darren heard the difference and he has not got very good hearing in one ear!

[p3asa]

No criticism taken 

Even Darren heard the difference and he has not got very good hearing in one ear!

But didn't you have a defective one and that is why you got it changed?

I don't think mine was defective as when I first got my car I couldn't believe how crystal clear the sound was with no distortion all the way up to at least 3/4 setting (never tried any further as it was too loud).  I even remarked on here that I was unsure how Dynaudio could actually improve on it.
I've had 2 RNS510's and both have sounded just as good as the RCD.  I know sound is very subjective and I'm far from an audiophile but I do appreciate and think I can tell the difference between a good sound and normal sound.

Maybe both your RNS510's haven't been up to scratch?

(1) The RCD310 should sound better than the RCD510 as there is no conceivable way the RNS510 can sound better than the RCD310 with standard speakers and no Dynaudio

Not sure I understand your logic or evidence in this? What do yo base that on?

To Joe Public, they would think the top of the range head unit should sound better than the bottom of the range. I know and you know that is not always the case though.

[am1w]

Hi p3asa:

Yes you are right the first one was probably defective to my ears. There was a difference between the two RNS510s we listened to in my car. I heard the difference, Darren did not.

We listened to Darren's RNS510 in his car. He thought it sounded fine. I did not!
We then compared the best RNS510 to my RCD310 in my car. The RCD310 was amazing. Even Darren heard the difference. He was very surprised. I was not.

In electronics, less is more as far as sound quality is concerned. The RNS510 is doing lots of wonderful things with that large LED screen as does the RCD510. The RCD310 has that small, revolting looking screen. It is simply an FM tuner, CD player and amplifier. So I was not surprised. Also, I have no idea what an RCD510 would sound like and I would therefore be loath to comment on its sound quality.

Throughout, we listened to classical music.

Don't get me wrong. I am perfectly happy with my RNS510* now and it sounds more than good enough to me. I would now rate it as excellent. Besides it is a beauty to behold.

I'd date Angelina Jolie even if she did fart sometimes like a horse!

[Snoopy]

In electronics, less is more as far as sound quality is concerned.

Depends in what contect, designers look at how things in the design interact with frequency responce, power, noise and distortion, (a few other minor things too but you really have to screw the design up to foobar them enough for a human to hear it ) all things that are known as the 'linear system'. Extras functions very rare ever cause enough distortion to be able to be heard clearly in an ABX test with the human ear brain system. 'less is more' is a misleading term used by audiophiles who don't often know how the electronics work and a good marketing tool for making people pay more for 'exotic' basic function equipment I know ive used it in presentations

I would say its simply one unit has a flatish frequency responce were as the others altered in some way.

[am1w]

The RNS I have is pretty damn good and the only thing it possibly slightly lacks is 'attack'. I am used to it now and very happy.

Snoopy: Are you going to buy one?

[Snoopy]

Don't know. 
um probably not yet as I really want DAB and the rear camera. 

[am1w]

The FM signal is virtually without interference. Best FM I have ever had. You know how fussy I am. Go on buy the lot. The car will be too old before you know it and not worth preening!

[am1w]

BTW Snoops: Even in heavy traffic and driving through heavily built-up areas, I have negligible interference on FM. In fact, I hardly notice it. Fabulous FM tuner. You really can buy with confidence.
Lastly, my RNS510 FM has somehow noticably less interference than the RCD310. The rejected RNS510 had a more. Strange.