Melco N50-H60 6TB Full-Width Music Library Available
Melco's N50-H60 sports a 6TB HDD and bridges the gap between the entry-level N100 and the compact N1Z.
Melco Audio's N50-H60 is a full-width music library packing 6TB of HDD and promises 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.
While it might share its looks with the N1A and retains the 1.7 mm-thick chassis, IEC power inlet and noise filter, the N50-H60 benefits from internal upgrades to power supplies, circuity, and drive unit performance, states the Japanese brand.
Key to the performance of the new N50-H60 is an enhanced main circuit board and "specially selected" 6TB HDD drive coupled to a brand new rigid HDD mounter. We are told this is "carefully floated" inside the chassis for greater isolation.
Additionally, the new Japanese-made model boasts a new dynamic PSU with 25% more output, plus re-engineered isolation feet for additional protection from unwanted vibration.
On the rear panel, you will find four USB ports optimised for specific duties, including Expansion, Backup, USB 3.0, and a dedicated USB DAC output for USB convertors and USB DAC-equipped amplifiers/active speakers. These allow connected devices to operate effortlessly (without any configuration).
The N50-H60 also gets dedicated dual Ethernet ports with a dedicated Player port and LAN port. According to Melco, this minimises the unwanted effects of noise on the music signal and presents 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 via the dedicated USB DAC output and 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 needing a computer.
This new HDD model follows the SSD-equipped and Applause Award-winning N50-S38 (£4,999) that offers even better performance.
The Melco N50-H60 is available now in silver or black, priced at £2,999.
Visit Melco for more information
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.