Melco N1-S38 Digital Music Library

Melco N1-S38 Digital Music Library

The Melco N1-S38 digital music library is a must-have for all audiophiles looking for the ultimate in audio performance. Its specially selected 3.84 TB SSD drive, high-quality positive-click front panel buttons, crystal-clear OLED display, 5x USB 3.0 ports and external 10 MHz clock connection are all designed to ensure unparalleled sound quality. The N1-S38's robust 3 mm stainless steel base plate, two-tone aluminium casework, precision machined corners and new complementary teal LED lighting provide a luxurious finish to the product's exterior. Additionally, the Melco concept of a dedicated Player port for direct connection to network players is now enhanced by precision Neutrik RJ45 connectors and an SFP port for direct fiber connection to a suitably equipped player or network infrastructure. With all of these features, the N1-S38 is the ultimate digital music library for audiophiles who demand the best.

Here is what Melco say about the N1-S38

The N1-S38 is the first all-new Melco design since the half-width N10 and N100 series launched in 2018. A full-width design, the N1-S38 distils Melco’s decades-long digital music storage, transfer and playback knowledge into an advanced new flagship with great new features. This digital music library benefits from a totally new set of system electronics, mainboard, mains transformer, supply and local regulators, 3mm aluminium thick chassis, as well as new power supplies. An audio-specific custom 3.84 TB SSD drive, which benefits from Melco’s proprietary layered, rigid SSD mounter, is directly connected to the data path without any intervening RAID controller. The on-board memory is also increased.

Features

• Specially selected 3.84 TB SSD drive for audio performance
• High-quality positive-click front panel buttons
• Crystal-clear, easy-read, low-noise OLED display
• 5x USB 3.0 ports for easy back up, expansion and DAC connectivity
• Easy music importing from flash, CD or HDD drives
• IEC mains inlet with true electrical ground to define the source component as ground point
• External 10MHz clock connection (BNC)
• Newly developed high-capacity power transformer
• Colours: Black or Silver

New Design

Key to the N1-S38’s sophisticated new look is Melco’s all-new casework which benefits from highly stable chassis construction centred around a robust 3 mm stainless steel base plate to minimise unwanted vibration.
Externally, the N1-S38 is complemented by precision-machined two-tone aluminium casework on the remaining five faces, ranging in thickness from 2 mm up to a generous 5 mm, representing a significant upgrade over the half-width N10/2 and N100 models.

The new fascia design features a unique engraved Melco logo using a special technique, with the bold new aesthetics continuing with the substantial contrasting casework corners which are also machined from solid aluminium billet. The front panel features Melco’s familiar high-quality positive-click fascia control buttons (now illuminated), a crystal-clear easy-read OLED display panel, plus a USB port. New complementary teal LED lighting provides additional aesthetic appeal.

The N1-S38’s low-slung steel base plate design and subsequent low-centre-of-gravity chassis construction, prevents unwanted resonance from interfering with the delicate music signal.

Connectivity

At the audiophile-performance level of the N1-S38, conventional USB connections can compromise ultimate performance, so robust die-cast Amphenol USB ports are provided for the rear-mounted DAC, Expansion, Import and Backup ports, for improved performance and durability with heavier-grade premium cables and connectors.

The Melco concept of a dedicated Player port for direct connection to network players is now enhanced by precision Neutrik RJ45 connectors; the LAN port is similarly upgraded.

Following the pioneering application of SFP Fibre (Small Form Factor Pluggable) connectivity in the Melco S10 and recent S100/2 data switch, the new N1-S38 benefits from an SFP port for direct fibre connection to a suitably equipped player or network infrastructure. In a nod to its audiophile credentials, the new N1-S38 also supports a switchable 10 MHz external clock input – a first for a Melco music library.

Specification

• Music storage: 1 x specially selected 3.84 TB SSD
• Network connectivity:
  • LAN Port-Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T)
  • Dedicated PLAYER port
  • Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T)
  • SFP Port (1000 mbps MAX)
• USB connectivity
  • USB 2.0 port USB DAC-dedicated
  • USB 3.0 port USB DAC-dedicated USB 3.0 backup port
  • USB 3.0 expansion port
  • USB 3.0 front panel port for importing and DACs
  • USB player file support: DSF, DFF, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF and AAC
• USB player sample rate support
  • 16-32 bit (PCM) to 384 kHz:- auto downsample to suit connected DACs
  • Gapless PCM support
  • 1 bit (DSD) to 11.3 MHz Quad DSD Markerless DSD support
  • DSD to 32 bit PCM conversion selectable Gapless DSD support
  • OLED displays player sample rate
• Power supply: AC 230 V
• Size: 440 x 82 x 353mm
• Weight: 14kg

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.