Melco S100 Audiophile Dataswitch

Melco S100 Audiophile Dataswitch

 

Digital Music relies on perfectly timed data in a low noise environment to achieve maximum performance. The limitation to the ultimate sound quality of digital music on an Ethernet network is the network itself and the components used. IT components are low-cost commodity items and are effective for PC data and gaming etc. But they are simply inadequate for high-quality digital music. One critical component ns all digital music systems is the data switch which handles both the music data and control. The Melco S100 is designed and configured as an audiophile component without any IT compromises.

The Melco S100 is quite an unusual architecture compared to an IT data switch. There are four 100Mb RJ45 ports – these provide the best audio quality, and there are four 1Gb ports – these are ideal for PC connectivity and the Roon Core processor which generates high traffic flow. Two additional SFP ports allow for the connection of optical fibre for components such as Lumin that support it.

The key to creating a stable and resilient data stream for extreme Hi-Res streaming is the Packet Buffer and S100 has 1.5MB of buffer capability to deal with erratic external connectivity.

Audiophile techniques are used in the power supply implementation with a bank of audio-grade capacitors to ensure the lowest noise environment. Power supplies are external to the S100 giving good isolation and allowing for future upgrade to external linear power supplies.

Mechanical stability contributes to system performance and the S100 is built on a rigid steel chassis with total screening provided by the totally metal enclosure which matches Melco Audiophile NAS components

 

 

Network Digital Music Players - Streamers

 

The Ethernet network is the signal connectivity to every network Player or Streamer from the data-store or NAS. Similarly, Streaming Services such as TIDAL and Qobuz originate in remote servers and connect to the network Player through the data switch.

Any damage to packet data, timing, packet order, noise, or intrusive data, damages the overall musical performance. IT switches are optimised for speed and throughput – not data integrity

Melco S100, using the 100Mb ports achieves the best possible performance from every brand of network Player or Streamer regardless of the source.

 

Computer Audio

 

Computers used for playing Audio all connect to the network for access to servers or streaming services. This connectivity is not optimised for sound quality and Melco S100 removes this restriction to performance allowing the full benefit of optimised player software and other tweaks to be enjoyed.

 

ROON

 

Roon systems have both music storage and the Roon Core connected to the network which can generate a lot of traffic. The Melco S100 has both ports optimised for sound quality, as well as ports optimised for both sound quality and throughput. This creates an ideal Roon infrastructure without any compromise.

 

Lumin

 

Lumin high-performance network players offer the opportunity to isolate the player from the network using fibre Optic SFP connectors. Melco S100 is equipped as standard with two SFP/LC connectors to allow the full benefits to be enjoyed

 

Melco N1, N10 and N100

 

Melco owners have long realised the benefits of using Melco NAS without any network connection at all – but this is often not practical. Now with the S100, all Melco users can enjoy the benefits of a permanent network connection – access to streaming services, internet radio and other networked sources - without any sound quality compromises.

 

"What is clear to me is how much of a difference the S100 can have to a systems performance and the detrimental affect [sic] of noise in the network whether it be RFI or EMI... it is such a worthy investment as you improve all your devices on the network by blocking any noise from entering into your network." (Read More) Equipment Review - The Speaker Shack - May 2021

"Hence the £1,199 SI00, said to “improve the sound quality from any network audio device with an Ethernet connection”. With parent company Buffalo Technology's experience to draw on, the result is an “advanced architecture, unlike that of any other data switch”. The S 100’s audio-specific mainboard, built into a vibration-isolating aluminium-chassis, features ten ports (four 100Mbps, fourI Gbps, two SFP/LC optical), a 1.5MB packet buffer, powerful processor and “audio-grade capacitor bank”. Advantages include low-noise design (you can even turn off the LEDs), external power supply, highly precise data-handling and internal packet-traffic settings that have been optimised for NAS drives, routers (for streaming services), Roon devices and of course Melco products." (Read More) What Hi-Fi? Announcement - Melco S100

 

Specification

• Model: S100
• Color: Silver
• Weight: 2.5kg
• Size (W,H,L): 215 x 61 x 269 mm (8.46 x 2.40 x 10.59 in)
Power: 12V 1A - 5.7mm
• Ports: 4 x 100Mb/E RJ45, 4 x 1000Mb/E RJ45, 2 x Fibre SFP/LC

 

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.