atelier 13 audio
MELCO N5 MUSIC SERVER
"Decades in the making"
MELCO N5 MUSIC SERVER
The Melco N5 is an all-new flagship HDD-based digital music library that offers the best sonic performance in the company’s history.
The new design is based around a new platform that includes a new chassis, innovative casework, and new power supplies. It offers a previously unreached performance level.
The Melco N5 is hand-made in Japan and builds on a proven and unique architecture that ensures the impeccable transport of the delicate signal data while avoiding noisy high-speed elements and fast processors.
A full-width design, the N5 benefits from a totally new set of system electronics, a new mainboard as well as a new mains transformer, supply and local voltage regulators
An audio-specific custom 5.0 TB HDD drive is configured with Melco's HS3 mounting system (Highly Stable Storage System), a special anti-vibration mounting structure designed to optimize sound quality.
On-board memory is increased as well.
Key Design Highlights
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Specially selected 5.0 TB HDD drive for audio performance
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High-quality positive-click front panel buttons
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Crystal-clear, easy-read, low-noise OLED display
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2x USB 3.0 ports plus 1 x USB 2.0 port for easy back up, expansion and DAC connectivity
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Easy music importing from flash, CD or HDD drives
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IEC mains inlet with true electrical ground to define the source component as ground point
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
Music storage
1 x specially selected 5.0 TB HDD
Network connectivity
LAN Port-Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T)
Dedicated PLAYER port :
Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T)
SFP Port (1000 mbps MAX)
USB connectivity
1 x front panel USB 3.0 port
1 x rear panel USB 3.0 port
1 x rear panel USB 2.0 port
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
OLED displays player sample rate
Power supply
110-120 V AC
Dimensions
440 x 77 x 353mm
Weight
10 kg
Melco N5
with 5.0TB HDD
$ 8,000
Review Extracts - Feature Insights
All-new chassis and casework
Key to the Melco N5 & N1 Series' sophisticated new look is Melco’s all-new casework which benefits from highly stable chassis. Its construction is centred around a robust 3 mm stainless steel base plate to minimise unwanted vibration. Externally, the N5 is complemented by precision-machined two-tone aluminium casework on the remaining five faces. Thickness ranges 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 round out the frontal features. New complementary teal LED lighting provides additional aesthetic appeal. The N5’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 N5, conventional USB connections can compromise ultimate performance. Therefore, robust die-cast Amphenol USB ports are provided for the rear-mounted DAC, Expansion, Import and Backup ports. This ensures improved performance as well as increased 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 benefits from an SFP port for direct fibre connection to a suitably equipped player or network infrastructure.
Further features
Further features include a large, newly developed high-capacity power transformer, which is mounted on its own sub-chassis and exceeds that of the existing flagship, the N10/2. This is complemented by a new bespoke device for the capacitor bank.
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