Melco launches its most affordable SSD music library to date

Melco unveils its most affordable SSD music library, the N50-S38

(Image credit: Melco)

Melco Audio has launched its first mid-range SSD-based digital music library, the N50, comprising the N50-S38 (in silver) and N50-S38B (black).

Handcrafted in Japan, the all-new N50 benefits from a 1.7mm-thick full-width chassis, an IEC power inlet with noise filtering, plus classic Melco minimalist styling. Improvements to the previous design include an enhanced mainboard with a specially selected 3.84 TB SSD drive coupled to a new SSD cradle, plus a new dynamic PSU that promises 25 per cent more output. Re-engineered isolation feet are also included.

As with all Melco digital music libraries (such as the five-star N100), the N50 utilises the company's remarkably easy user experience. Crucially, the rear panel includes four specific USB ports: USB 3.0; Expansion and Backup, plus a dedicated USB DAC output ready to connect USB DACs, USB DAC-equipped amplifiers or active speakers.

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Melco N50-S38 SSD music library, back — (Image credit: Melco)

Said ports enable USB devices to connect and operate without any further configuration, including importing or playing music from memory devices, HDD/SSD drives and CD drives (aka CD rippers), capacity expansion with the Melco E100 or other storage drives, and easy back-up to HDD/SSD drives.

The back panel also includes dual Ethernet ports, which provide a dedicated ‘Player’ port in addition to the LAN port in a bid to minimise unwanted noise on the music signal and present network audio players with a direct, high data-integrity connection. The N50 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 also boasts an OLED display with push-button control, plus Melco’s Intelligent Music Library suite comprising MinimServer and SongKong software. It is also 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 Melco N50-S38 (silver) and N50-S38B (black) are available now, priced £4999 ($5499, AU$6999). One for the Christmas list...

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Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March 2019. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half – a football writer whose talent knows no bounds.