JUST about everything is new about Melco’s flagship SSD-based digital music library, the N1-S38 – the platform, chassis/casework, power supply and electronics.
“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. The N1-S38 benefits from a totally new set of system electronics, new mainboard, plus a new mains transformer, supply and local regulators,” Melco informs us.
Hand-made in Japan, the N1-S38 is the first all-new Melco design since the half-width N10 and N100 series launched in 2018.
The N1-S38’s audio-specific custom 3.84TB SSD drive, which benefits from Melco’s proprietary layered, rigid SSD mounter, is directly connected to the data path without any intervening RAID controller, while on-board memory is increased, too.
“The N1-S38 builds on Melco’s proven, unique architecture which carefully transports delicate signal data while avoiding noisy high-speed elements and fast processors.
“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 3mm 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 2mm up to a generous 5mm, representing a significant upgrade over the half-width N10/2 and N100 models.”
As for 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.”
And in a nod to its audiophile credentials, the N1-S38 also supports a switchable 10MHz external clock input – a first for a Melco music library.
The N1-S38, available now in black or silver finishes, is priced at £11,995/€14,000.
Leave a Reply