MELCO N100
Many audio specialists have a tough time breaking into the network audio sector. Even with expertise in traditional analogue electronics, the world of hard-drives, network protocols and the associated software engineering is often outside their comfort zone. But Melco is essentially the hi-fi wing of Buffalo – a huge player in the computer world, known for its storage solutions and network products – so the Melco N100 has something of an advantage here.
Packing in 2TB worth of storage (around 3000 CDS) and including both the Minimserver and Twonkymedia server software, there’s also dedicated software that references multiple databases to ensure that every file is categorised as accurately as possible.
Limited connectivity
The front panel control layout is simple, but together with the small but clear display, the N100 is easy enough to set up. Connectivity is limited but covers all the essentials. There are three USB 3.0 sockets and two of these can be used to connect the N100 to external storage in the form of sticks and hard drives or optical drives for ripping CDS. The third is intended for use with an external DAC.
The Melco doesn’t have a built-in DAC, so if you want to use it as a streamer, playing music from its internal storage, for example, you’ll need to add one. We partner the N100 with Chord’s Qutest (£1195) and it proves a good match.
There are two ethernet ports, one of which is used to hardwire to your network and the other connects to a standalone streamer. There is no provision for going wireless here. Network audio set-ups normally use a dedicated network switch, but the N100’s arrangement makes things cleaner and more direct.
Build quality is good with a solid casework finished to a high standard. The chassis is made of 2mm thick steel with the rest of the panels using aluminium. It’s a fan-less design to minimise unwanted noise and proves quiet during use. It’s clear that Melco takes a great deal of care over how its products are made.
We connect the N100 to our network and use our reference Naim ND555/555PS music streamer to compare its performance as a server with our usual Naim Uniti Core HDD unit (£1999, but you’ll need to add the hard drive). The other difference between the servers is that the Naim includes a disc drive for ripping CDS while the Melco doesn’t. The company makes a dedicated unit called the D100 (£1099), but there are plenty of more affordable USB optical drive alternatives on the market.
We load the same music files (hi-res and CD quality) on both the N100 and Uniti Core and listen through our reference system, which includes a Burmester 088/911 Mk3 pre/power combo and ATC’S SCM50 speakers.
The differences aren’t huge but they are consistent, whether we listen to a Shostakovich symphony or Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly set. The files from the Melco sound crisper and cleaner. Leading edges are more precise and the overall presentation is a touch more stable. It’s not all one-way traffic though. Those same music files have greater body and fluidity when using the Naim and flow better rhythmically.
We also use the N100 as a standalone streamer, listening to the music from its own storage and that of the Uniti Core. It can cope with pretty much everything from 32-bit/384khz PCM to DSD512 and also supports Tidal and Qobuz. The Melco works well when partnered with the Chord DAC, and is up there with the best streaming solutions at this level.
Brooding moods
We listen to Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker and the Melco/chord combo does an excellent job of communicating the brooding mood of the track. There’s plenty of detail and it is well organised, with Cohen’s rough tones coming through with gruffness and authority. There’s a good amount of drive to that menacing bassline, and it all sounds impressively detailed, but with enough dynamic expression, punch and drive to prevent things sounding too analytical.
Tonally, things are even and open, with a decent dose of natural warmth. It’s a refined sound that never veers towards undue aggression or harshness.
The Melco N100 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality streamer with storage built-in and already have a capable DAC. The company’s computer heritage shines through in the slick, fuss-free operation, making the N100 highly recommended.