Melco Audio, the Japanese digital music expert, has announced a new full-width HDD model that perfectly bridges the gap between the entry-level N100 and the compact N1Z, whilst offering a sizeable 6 TB audiophile-grade drive.
Handcrafted in Japan, in line with all of Melco’s music libraries, the new N50-H60 offers key performance upgrades over Melco’s most affordable music library, the half-width N100, whilst benefitting from greater accessibility over the N1Z/2EX-H50; all three are HDD-based.
A full-width design, the high-capacity N50-H60, which is available in silver or black, enjoys the classic aesthetics of Melco’s full-width predecessor, the N1A, with wide-ranging internal upgrades to power supplies, circuity and drive unit performance. The N50-H60 retains the 1.7 mm-thick chassis, IEC power inlet and noise filter and timeless Melco appearance.
Key to the performance of the new N50-H60 is an enhanced main circuit board with a specially selected, generous capacity 6 TB HDD drive coupled to a brand new rigid HDD mounter carefully floated inside the chassis for greater isolation. Additional audiophile-quality storage capacity can also be added with Melco’s E100 3 TB HDD drive.
The new model also adds a new dynamic PSU with 25 % more output, plus re-engineered isolation feet for additional protection from unwanted vibration.
The new N50-H60 also offers Melco’s famous ease of use and operation. Accordingly, the rear panel includes four specific USB ports: USB 3.0; EXPANSION; BACK UP; plus a dedicated USB DAC output for USB convertors and USB DAC-equipped amplifiers/active speakers.
The USB suite enables connected devices to operate effortlessly (without any configuration) offering: importing/playback from memory devices, HDD/SSD drives and CD drives/rippers; capacity expansion with Melco’s E100 (or other) storage drive; plus easy back-up.
In line with Melco’s trusted audiophile credentials, the back panel also includes a key Melco USP: 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-H60 can be connected to a streamer (via Ethernet) using the PLAYER port, or used as a local player with the dedicated USB DAC output.
The N50-H60 benefits from a high-quality OLED display with push-button control, plus Melco’s Intelligent Music Library suite comprising MinimServer and SongKong software.
The library 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, high-res downloads without the need for a computer.
The new HDD model follows the October 2021-announced N50-S38 (£4,999) which is differentiated by the use of a high-performance SSD drive for improved sound quality.
Price and availability
The Japanese-made N50-H60 is available now in silver or black, priced at £2,999.
