IF an SSD-based digital music library is on your shopping list, here’s the new Melco N50-S38 that sports a 3.8TB drive and the Japanese company’s technological credentials.
The N50-S38 has a 1.7 mm-thick full-width chassis, an IEC power inlet with noise filter, enhanced main board with a specially selected solid-state drive coupled to the new rigid, layered SSD cradle, plus a new dynamic PSU with 25% more output. Re-engineered isolation feet are also included.
“As with all Melco digital music libraries, the N50-S38 is remarkably easy to use. Crucially, the rear panel includes four specific USB ports – USB 3.0; Expansion and Backup, plus a dedicated USB DAC output ready for connection to USB DACs, USB DAC-equipped amplifiers or active speakers,” the press release informs us.
“The ports enable USB devices to connect and operate effortlessly without any configuration, including importing or playing music from memory devices, HDD/SSD drives and CD drives (rippers as well), capacity expansion with Melco’s E100 (or other) storage drive, and easy back-up to HDD/SSD drives.
“In line with the N50-S38’s audiophile credentials, the back panel also includes Melco’s dedicated dual Ethernet ports, which provide a dedicated ‘Player’ port in addition to the LAN port, to minimise the unwanted effects of noise on the music signal and present network audio players with a direct, high data-integrity connection. The N50-S38 can be connected to a streamer (via Ethernet) using the Player port, or used as a local player with the dedicated USB DAC output.”
A high-quality OLED display with push-button control, plus Melco’s Intelligent Music Library suite comprising MinimServer and SongKong software are also on the player.
“Like its EX-series range stablemates, the N50-S38 is Roon Ready, DSD compatible and offers app control via DLNA/UPnP (in USB DAC mode) with support for Tidal, Qobuz and vTuner streaming. Qobuz Downloader and HighResAudio.com also enable direct, error-free high-res downloads without the need for a computer.”
Handcrafted in Japan, the N50-S38 comes in either silver or black finish, and is priced at £4,999.
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