Melco adds N100-H50 5TB Digital Music Library

Melco Audio has announced a new high-capacity digital music library. The N100-H50 benefits from a 150 per cent capacity increase over the standard 2TB N100-H20, which stays in the brand’s range, to 5TB.

The upgraded 5 TB HDD is the same audio-specific model featured in the N100-H50’s upmarket sibling, the £7,499 N10 45th anniversary limited edition digital music library. The dedicated drives are hand-picked by the factory to provide superior audio performance.

The half-width 215 mm-wide chassis N100-H50 builds on the class-leading N1Z series and uses the same extreme-low-noise, high-precision digital music dataflow in the existing Melco series. It’s designed from the ground-up as an audio-specific device.

A low-profile mainboard uses the exact same RISC processor and architecture as the flagship N1Z series. Connectivity includes twin Ethernet ports - a dedicated Ethernet ‘player’ port connects directly to network streamers without an intervening data switch, ensuring timing is maintained.

The N100-H50 can also be used as a self-contained local hi-res digital music player when connected via a USB DAC; data rates of up to 32 bit/384 kHz and Octo DSD are supported, along with gapless and Melco markerless DSD.

Control is via the Melco Music HD app, from the front panel, or from approved third-party RF remote handsets; the N100 will operate with both USB DACs and also Ethernet-connected players even without connection to a data network in standalone Isolated Mode.

When connected to a network, UPnP control point apps can be used for control. The N100-H50 is also Roon Ready.

Direct Hi-Res downloads from HighresAudio.com and other vendors (with more to follow in 2021), is supported for error-free downloading.

A front panel USB offers convenient importing from USB sources as well as direct playback from USB drives without importing.

Melco Audio’s UK General Manager, Dan Raggett said: “The 2 TB N100-H20 digital music library has been a fantastic entry-level addition to the Melco Audio product family over its two-and-a-half-year lifespan. It has allowed many new customers to access the fantastic sound quality Melco Audio is driven to deliver.

“The option of a higher-capacity 5 TB version, allows customers with larger music collections to take advantage of Melco Audio’s no-compromise sound quality and unique approach to audio engineering.”

Available at the beginning of July, the N100-H50 will retail for £2,499. The existing N100-H20 is available at £1,999. Both are available in black or silver.