Following up on its recent release of its N1-S38 Flagship Digital Music Library, Melco is back with a step-down model, the N5-H50.
The main difference between the two models is that while the N1-S38 incorporates a built-in SSD (Solid State Drive) for storage, the N5-H50 uses a more traditional, and less expensive HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Also, the N1-S38 provides five USB ports while the N5-H50 only provides three.
However, despite those differences, the N5-H50 shares many of the features of the N1-S38, including the ground-up design, platform, chassis, and casework. The mainboard used in the N1-S38 is also used in the N5-H50.
N5-H50 Key Features
- Cabinet Design: The N5-H50 features a precision-machined two-tone metalwork industrial design similar to that of the N1-S38. This provides highly stable chassis construction centered around a 3mm stainless steel base plate to minimize unwanted vibration.
- Controls and Status Display: The N5-H50 includes high-quality illuminated positive-click fascia control buttons, crystal-clear easy-read OLED display panel, and concealed shadow lighting which changes color in response to operating status.
Tip: Just as with other Melco digital library components, the N5-H50 is hand-made in Japan.
- Clock: The N5-H50 features an NDK system clock which supports precise low-jitter performance.
- Connectivity (Non-USB): Industrial-quality RJ45 connectors are used for the LAN port and PLAYER ports. In addition, SFP Fibre (Small Form Factor Pluggable) connectivity allows the use of noise-isolating optical connectivity with compatible SFP-ready devices, including the Melco entry-level S100/2 and flagship S10 data switches.
- Connectivity (USB): The N5-H50 includes 2 rear mounted and one front USB port with industrial-quality Amphenol connectors. The front and one rear USB port are version 3.0 compliant which supports high-speed speed data transfers, such as CD importing with Melco’s dedicated D100 drive/ripper, expansion storage, etc. The remaining rear USB port is version 2.0 compliant and is compatible with audiophile-grade DACs.
Tip: The technical difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0
- IEC Power: A high-performance EMC-filtered IEC power connection is also included. 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.
N5-H50 Specifications
- Storage Device: HDD (Hard Disc Drive)
- Music Storage Capacity: 5 TB
- 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 rear port and 1 front panel port).
- USB Digital Music File Support: DSF, DFF, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF, and AAC
- Additional USB Player Support:
- 16-32 bit (PCM) to 384 kHz:- auto downsamples to suit connected DACs.
- Gapless PCM playback
- 1-bit (DSD) to 11.3 MHz Quad DSD, Markerless DSD support, Gapless DSD support
- DSD to 32-bit PCM conversion selectable
- Power Supply: Pre-set 220-240 V AC or 110-120 V AC dependent on locality
- Dimensions (WHD): 440 x 82 x 344mm (17.3 x 3.23 x 13.54 inches)
- Weight: 13kg (28lbs 11oz)
Tip: The front panel OLED display shows the player sample rate.
Price & Availability
The Melco N5-H50 is available to order now in Black or Silver at a price of £7,499/€8,999. U.S. price is forthcoming.
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