Melco launch N10 and N100 models

Can Melco maintain their Rolls Royce quality with new models?

by Aaron Macarthy Beards
Hi-Fi News

Melco launch N10 and N100 models
Audio brand Melco has announced two brand new digital music library players. A flagship N10 and a new entry-level N100.
The Melco N10 is housed in two units, each chassis 215mm wide. The Head Unit contains all the processing electronics and the data connectivity. The Power Unit contains a linear power supply and power management. The casing is the same size as Melco’s existing D100 CD loader and the E100 Expansion drive.

Melco claims that separating the units allows total isolation of noise pollution, as well as isolating any vibration from the power transformer. The company also claims that the power supply uses advanced techniques to minimise both internal and external noise. The power supply has an IEC 3 wire mains supply with a grounded reference point. Connectivity between the Power Unit and the Head Unit is by a flexible cord with Neutrik multi-pin connectors.

The device uses the same RISC processor and architecture as the N1Z series. Twin Ethernet ports are retained with the dedicated Ethernet Player port connecting directly to the network player without an intervening data switch. Internal storage is 3TB HDD which can be expandable by either IT USB HDD or the Melco E100 to maintain sound quality.

USB connected DAC allows the N10 to perform as a self-contained local HiRes Digital Music player. Data rates up to 32bit 384kHz and Octo DSD are supported. Control of the USB-DAC player is from the new Melco app, from the front panel, or from approved third-party RF remote handset, N10 will operate with both USB DAC and also Ethernet connected player even without connection to a data network in standalone isolated mode.

Melco claims that CD import is easy to achieve with either the Melco D100 external CD loader or ‘IT grade’ optical drive for less demanding use. Melco also claims that they do not put the IT grade loader inside the N10 as “it both compromises sound quality and also reduces reliability due to disposable nature of IT drives.”

Music backup can be achieved by plugging in a USB HDD and pressing one button.

Direct Hi-Res downloads from HighresAudio.com and other vendors are supported. The front panel USB can be used for convenient import from USB, direct play from USB without importing, and for connection of a USB DAC.

Melco launch N10 and N100 models

The Melco N100 is the cheaper of the two devices. Melco claims that N100 uses the same extreme low-noise high precision digital music data flow of the existing Melco series and, like the N10, uses no ‘standard IT’ components or PC parts. Just like the N10, the N100, mainboard uses the exact same RISC processor and architecture as the N1Z series. And, just like the N10, the N100 also features twin Ethernet ports with a dedicated Ethernet player port connecting directly to the network player without an intervening data switch.

Internal storage is 2TB HDD, however, this is expandable by either IT USB HDD or the Melco E100. USB connected DAC allows the N100 to perform as a self-contained local Hi-Res digital music player. Data rates up to 32bit 384kHz and Octo DSD are supported. Control of the USB-DAC player is from the new Melco app, from the front panel, or from approved third-party RF Remote handsets. The N100 will operate with both USB DAC and also Ethernet connected player even without a connection to a data network in a standalone isolated mode, just like the N10.

The N100 will be available from the end of September in the UK and Europe and will cost €2000 / £1800.

The N10 will be available from November in the UK and Europe and will cost €7500 / £6750
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