Coincidentally, I put my QT-40 (Ares II) on line last night, after using my IC-7300 for about a week. The RX is really good on this thing. They did something different with it, than the 6666 and 5555's. I have not spent the time to analyze what they did, but they did. It is better for sure.My 2c -They are not a disposable radio if you have the tools and knowledge to work with them. It's a new era for radios, that needs a new set of know-how to work with. Some people are getting caught out messing with new rigs despite the warnings from us all, so that's 100% on them.
I don't think it's any worse now than it was before - the number of radios getting messed up is the same, by the same people!
The ARES2 can modulate to 100% perfectly on AM, but not much over 100%. That is correct by design, and as you said it is closer to the AM performance of most HAM rigs from the big 3. Some don't like that kind of performance, ("My Dosy won't swing") and that's OK.
FYI - Improvements will likely come soon for better "NPC" AM performance in the ARES2 (NPC is broken in the current firmware) - but that feature exists only to keep a particular user group happy. To each their own, but it will stay switched off in my rigs until I can see a clean waveform. (I am mostly a SSB and FM user though, so I don't have a dog in the AM fight!) ; )
As you have found, the ARES2 RX is fantastic. It's almost impossible to go back to listening to the other brands RX, after spending some time with the ARES2. There is no comparison IMO. (The Ranger hissssssssssss is hard work! hihi)
With the DX10 you mentioned - it is a beast on AM TX, but it is because of some pretty wild (uncontrolled) overshoot and some distortion. (It will drive a box hard if that's your plan, but it probably won't be the cleanest while doing it). The RX AGC performance will probably be the biggest issue you find with that PCB. See how you go, I still think it's a fun little radio regardless but I am always working the RF Gain on it.
73
Rangers.....please don't get me started .