Melco N10/2-H50 HDD Digital Music Library

Melco N10/2-H50 HDD Digital Music Library

Melco Audio has launched a new range-topping digital music library the N10/2. The new two-box flagship is the best-performing Melco music library in the company’s history. The N10/2-H50 is designed as a direct replacement for the original, award-winning, HDD-based N10.

What Melco say

The new libraries centre around newly selected HDD and SSD drives: 5 TB in the N10/2-H50 and 3.84 TB in the N10/2-S38; the dedicated drives are hand-picked by the factory to provide exceptional audio performance.

The N10/2 also benefits from a new high-performance PCB, first seen in the limited-edition N10 45th Anniversary Limited Edition (now sold out).

About the new N10/2

The N10/2 is a two-box design, featuring half-width (215 mm) chassis, enabling Melco’s engineers to separate the delicate signal-processing electronics from the power supply.

The ‘head’ unit contains the processing electronics and data connectivity, and the power unit contains a high-performance, low-noise linear power supply with toroidal transformer.

The head unit uses the same extreme-low-noise, high-precision digital music dataflow as the existing Melco series and crucially, is designed from the ground-up as an audio-specific device; Melco famously eschews standard IT components or PC parts.

Melco’s time-proven software architecture provides reassuring familiarity to existing Melco customers and class-leading ease of use for newcomers.

The N10/2 benefits from several familiar Melco USPs. The head unit’s rear panel benefits from twin Ethernet ports, LAN and PLAYER, the latter being a dedicated port designed to connect directly to network streamers without the need for an intervening data switch, ensuring timing accuracy is maintained.

Twin USB 2.0 ports are also available, (plus a further front panel USB port) including a dedicated USB DAC output ready for connection to USB DACs, USB DAC-equipped amplifiers or active speakers. The second USB port enables USB devices to connect and operate effortlessly, including: importing or playing music from memory devices, HDD/SSD drives and CD drives (CD ‘rippers’); capacity expansion with Melco’s E100 (or other) storage drive; and easy back-up to HDD/SSD drives.

In addition to Melco’s software architecture, the N10/2 benefits from Melco’s Intelligent Music Library suite comprising MinimServer and SongKong software. The device is also Roon Ready, DSD compatible and offers app control via DLNA/UPnP (in USB DAC mode) with support for TIDAL, Qobuz and vTuner streaming with the Melco Music HD app. Qobuz Downloader and HighResAudio.com also enable direct, error-free high-res downloads without the need for a computer.

The N10/2 can also be used as a self-contained local hi-res digital music player when connected via a USB DAC; data rates of up to 32 bit/384 kHz and Octo DSD are supported, along with gapless and Melco markerless DSD.

Control is via the Melco Music HD app, from the front panel, or from approved third-party RF remote handsets and for network playback, UPnP control point apps.

Features

• To realise the 215mm width half-sized component, the head unit has both newly designed internal electronics hardware and new operating software, with improved PCB.
• The case is solid aluminium including the end cheeks giving both a sophisticated look and also mechanical integrity and freedom from vibration, further assisted by a complex and rigid internal steel chassis.
• The front panel has the familiar Melco OLED display and four control buttons – from this simple interface both initial setup – just language and time zone – as well as advanced customisation can be accomplished. When playing music the OLED is very informative showing file name and data format. All connectivity of external devices is also confirmed on the OLED.
• Playing directly from CD using a USB CD loader such as D100, or playing directly from a USB drive, the OLED and buttons give full browse and navigation.
• The front panel USB port is convenient for connecting either USB drives or USB optical drive to import files or directly play.
• The rear panel has two additional USB ports which allow for USB connected CD loader, or USB HDD for music import or play. Additionally also
• Expansion of the internal capacity with either an IT USB HDD or the high sound quality E100 expansion drive to increase capacity of the N10 without any additional settings.
• Ethernet connectivity is special for all Melco machines – there are two ports. One is a dedicated Player port that connects directly to a network player or streamer without any intervening data switch or IT devices that would compromise sound quality.
• The second Ethernet port is the LAN connection for access to the N10 for music transfer, control of the N10 local player from a control App, and for accessing streaming music services, activating direct music downloads, and making Firmware updates with just one click from the Internet.
• A newly designed power management system in then Head Unit ensures stable and reliable operation.

Specification

• Music storage
  
  • N10/2-H50 1 x 2.5 inch selected HDD 5TB on Melco HS-S2 isolation platform
  • N10/2-S38 1 x 3.84TB selected SSD on Melco HS-S2 isolation platform
• Network connectivity
• LAN Port-Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T),
• PLAYER port,
• Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T),
• DHCP server in isolated mode
• USB connectivity
• USB2.0 Front panel x 1
• USB2.0 Rear panel x 2
• Assignable as DAC, backup, import, expansion
• USB Player sample rate support
• 16-32 bit (PCM) to 384kHz:- auto downsample to suit connected DAC.
• Gapless PCM supported.
• 1 bit (DSD) to 11.3MHz Quad DSD.
• Markerless DSD supported.
• DSD to 32bit PCM conversion selectable.
• Gapless DSD supported.
• OLED displays player sample rate.
• Power supply
• Pre-set 220-240V AC or 110-120V AC dependant on market.
• Low-noise, linear power supply
• Size 215 x 61 x 269mm (W H L)
• Weight head unit Approx 3.5kg
• Weight power supply Approx 5.0kg

About Melco

Melco Audio, an esteemed brand in the world of digital music libraries, presents a range of innovative products designed to store, play, and stream music collections without any compromises. Engineered in Japan, Melco's award-winning N100, N10, and N1 digital music libraries, along with the S10 data switch and D100 optical drive, have earned significant popularity among music enthusiasts worldwide.

With a relentless pursuit of excellence, Melco has developed its digital music libraries to deliver the utmost sound quality while providing the convenience and exploration capabilities of music streaming. The Company's highly advanced designs incorporate proprietary architecture and forego ordinary computer hardware, opting for premium audio-specific components instead. This distinctive approach ensures superior performance, unrivalled reliability, and, most importantly, class-leading sound quality for the ultimate listening experience.

Melco has a rich heritage dating back to 1975, when it first entered the realm of hi-fi products. 2014 the Company introduced its groundbreaking digital libraries, establishing itself as the "gold standard" in music storage and playback. Today, Melco enjoys the trust of discerning customers worldwide, who rely on its products to reproduce their cherished music collections faithfully.

Designed with user-friendliness in mind, Melco's digital music libraries feature convenient functionalities such as easy backup, importing, and CD ripping. Simple front panel controls provide intuitive operation, while the dedicated control app, Melco Music HD, offers a rich graphical interface for effortless tablet operation.

Melco Audio's journey began in 1975 when Makoto Maki, a passionate audiophile, founded the Company in Japan. Its initial focus was designing and manufacturing top-tier audio components, with the turntable introduced in the UK in 1980, setting new benchmarks in music reproduction. Today, Melco proudly resurrects the revered Melco brand, delivering high-tech networked audio components that embody the spirit of the esteemed early products while incorporating the latest advancements in reliable, high-performance networked devices and storage.

Experience the pinnacle of music playback with Melco Audio at Future Shop. Store, play, and stream your music collection with uncompromising quality and immerse yourself in the purest audio enjoyment.