MELCO N5, £7,499

The Melco N5 Digital Music Library is the perfect choice for anyone looking to take their music listening experience to the next level. With a 5TB HDD drive, pro-grade Neutrik ethernet connectors, and two USB 3.0 ports, this system offers high-quality sound and extreme versatility when it comes to connecting to external devices.

Additionally, users have the option of selecting from MinimServer, Twonky UPnP server, and Roon Endpoint for streaming their favourite music. With its robust steel panels, substantial aluminium components, and TAOC cast iron feet, this library ensures excellent sound quality with minimal vibrations and resonances. Finally, it is incredibly easy to import music from CDs, USB flash drives, and HDD drives.

USB connectivity is via industrial-quality Amphenol connectors at the rear, and an additional front panel USB socket is included for user convenience. USB formatting is both USB 2.0 for audiophile-grade DACs and USB 3.0 for higher-speed data transfers, such as CD importing with Melco’s dedicated D100 drive/ripper, or expansion storage etc. A high-performance power connection is also specified, using an EMC-filtered IEC connector giving true system ground reference. The N5-H50’s power supply uses multistage linear regulation following a high-specification audio-grade toroidal transformer on a special vibration-cushion mount device.

All in all, the Melco N5 Digital Music Library is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their music listening experience.

  • Selected 5TB HDD drive with Melco HS3 (Highly Stable Storage System) mounting to optimise sound quality
  • Pro-grade Neutrik ethernet connectors
  • Ethernet SFP port for optical LAN connectivity
  • Pro-grade Amphenol USB connectors
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports and 1 x USB 2.0 port for easy backup, expansion and DAC connectivity
  • Easy music import from CD, USB flash drives or
  • HDD drives
  • MinimServer or Twonky UPnP server or Roon Endpoint selectable
  • SongKong metadata editor
  • Extreme grade of low-jitter system clock from NDK
  • SFP Fibre (Small Form Factor Pluggable) connectivity, allowing the use of noise-isolating optical connectivity with suitably SFP-ready devices, or Melco’s entry-level S100/2 and flagship S10 data switches

Music storage

  • 1 x selected 5TB HDD with Melco HS3 mounting

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
  • 2 x USB 3.0 port assignable as Import, Backup, DAC or expansion
  • (1 port rear and 1 port front panel)
  • 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, Gapless DSD support
  • DSD to 32 bit PCM conversion selectable
  • OLED displays player sample rate and metadata

Power supply

  • Pre-set 220-240 V AC or 110-120 V AC dependent on locality
  • Size 440 x 77 x 353mm
  • Weight 10kg

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.

The Melco N5 Digital Music Library is the next generation of the acclaimed Melco concept for extreme sound quality from both music stored within the N5, networked music, and external streaming services when used with a USB-DAC.

Melco N5 features all-new electronics, with a new mainboard, high grade low noise internal linear power supply and extensive pro-grade connectivity.

Mechanical construction contributes to sound quality by minimising vibration and resonances, with isolating HDD mounting, robust steel panels and substantial aluminium components, and TAOC cast iron feet.

Hand-made in Japan, in line with all of Melco’s uncompromising digital libraries, the N5-H50’s precision-machined two-tone metalwork draws from the industrial design of the N1-S38 and benefits from highly stable chassis construction centred around a robust 3mm stainless steel base plate to minimise unwanted vibration. The new fascia design features the Melco logo, Melco’s familiar high-quality positive-click fascia control buttons (now illuminated), acrystal-clear easy-read OLED display panel, plus lots of clever features, including concealed shadow lighting which changes colour in response to machine status.

  • Selected 5TB HDD drive with Melco HS3 (Highly Stable Storage System) mounting to optimise sound quality
  • Pro-grade Neutrik ethernet connectors
  • Ethernet SFP port for optical LAN connectivity
  • Pro-grade Amphenol USB connectors
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports and 1 x USB 2.0 port for easy backup, expansion and DAC connectivity
  • Easy music import from CD, USB flash drives or
  • HDD drives
  • MinimServer or Twonky UPnP server or Roon Endpoint selectable
  • SongKong metadata editor
  • Extreme grade of low-jitter system clock from NDK
  • SFP Fibre (Small Form Factor Pluggable) connectivity, allowing the use of noise-isolating optical connectivity with suitably SFP-ready devices, or Melco’s entry-level S100/2 and flagship S10 data switches