Dynaudio - iPod VS CD

[sillywet]

As Corey says, the dock output for all iPods and iPhones is analogue - you're using the tiny DACs in the device to do the conversion. (This is why not all Apple products are created equal in this respect - many are better than others in terms of DAC specification and quality.) Apple have done this for copyright protection reasons: remember they used to sell DRM music; output of a decrypted digital bitstream would allow anyone to circumvent it and copy the music.

I understand the technical reasons why CD should be better than an iPod, but in the case of the VW it's especially bad. If you play audio through bluetooth, sound quality (as long as the file is decent) is just as good as a CD to my ears. If you play the same song with the iPhone plugged in to the MDI, you almost completely lose the bass, and it seems to want to play the vocals through the tweeter on the driver side only. Makes no sense whatsoever. And to defend the iPhone, my Denon receiver at home allows me to plug the iPhone in using a normal Apple charger cable (ie essentially the same as MDI), and audio quality there is for all intents and purposes CD quality. So unfortunately I think the bulk of the blame should be levied upon VW rather than Apple in this case.

And this is exactly why i'm trying to figure out if I can make my RCD510 allow me to change songs with bluetooth audio using the screen or steering wheel such as with the RNS510.

[AdamD]

So unfortunately I think the bulk of the blame should be levied upon VW rather than Apple in this case.

I use a dedicated iPod Classic via MDI to my RNS-510 w/ Dynaudio every time I get in my Golf. And I think that considering the tech, it sounds great, and very nearly CD quality at most frequencies. (I tend to listen to mp3s encoded at the maximum 320kb/s bitrate using good encoders if possible.) I do consider myself something of an enthusiast (if not quite an audiophile) when it comes to music and hi-fi - I do know good audio.

Sounds to me like something in your MDI is not right. Have you got the input level set to the correct value (LOW)? Are you running the latest MDI firmware?

[aussietig]

I use a dedicated iPod Classic via MDI to my RNS-510 w/ Dynaudio every time I get in my Golf. And I think that considering the tech, it sounds great, and very nearly CD quality at most frequencies. (I tend to listen to mp3s encoded at the maximum 320kb/s bitrate using good encoders if possible.) I do consider myself something of an enthusiast (if not quite an audiophile) when it comes to music and hi-fi - I do know good audio.

Sounds to me like something in your MDI is not right. Have you got the input level set to the correct value (LOW)? Are you running the latest MDI firmware?

Yep ... I second that!

Nothing beats the convenience of updating songs in your car by just syncing your iPod to iTunes and reconnecting to your MDI.

Sounds just as good @ 320 bitrate.

But biggest advantage with connecting an iPod is that it will play WAV files, whereas the RNS510 doesn't recognise them.

[sillywet]

They told me I can't do a firmware update to my RCD so sadly i'm not sure if this is the issue. Will check the input level tonight, but I haven't changed anything.

Perhaps I should have just got the Dynaudio option. I only ever listened to music via bluetooth in the dealership which made the stock system sound epic. This is still how i play my music as the quality is CD quality, just shats me that I can't control the songs via steering wheel/screen. Oh well, I guess i didn't buy the car for its ability to scrool through music, so i should really just neck-up.

[AdamD]

They told me I can't do a firmware update to my RCD so sadly i'm not sure if this is the issue. Will check the input level tonight, but I haven't changed anything.

The firmware is for the MDI, not your RCD-510 head unit:

MDI | my-gti.com

And the most frequent cause of poor quality audio from the MDI is when the input level is set to Mid or High (especially if using an iPod/iPhone). There's no guarantee it's set to Low by default when you picked up the car - it's been on another setting for many others.

Oh well, I guess i didn't buy the car for its ability to scrool through music, so i should really just neck-up

Mate, don't settle - that's what the forums are here for, to help you solve problems.

[sillywet]

Had a look at input level and it was already set to low. (tried it on medium briefly out of interest.... wow).

The dealership that I got my car through informed me that they are now doing free check-ups at any time. So basically you can pop in for 20 minutes and they do a quick sniff test and top up fluids etc and give you a coffee and send you on your way, so I might take them up on that, test drive a Scirocco out of interest while i wait and get them to update the MDI firmware at the same time. Hopefully that might help.

Also, I had a read of the RCD manual and it specifically notes that bluetooth songs cannot be changed other than on the device itself, so I think i'll give up on that avenue. what a shame!

[gt_pumbz]

320kbs minimum FTW
But cds usually are better cause they are properly mastered. If they are legitimate albums/complilations


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-38.359969,144.905327