The N10/2-S38 is expensive, understated and hugely capable
STREAMERS
Melco likes to call its N10/2 a ‘Music Library’, which is a pretty good description. Simply put, it is digital storage – 3.84TB worth of SSD (Solid State Drive) in the case of the N10/2-S38 we have on test here. That’s enough for nearly 6000 CDs, though hi-res recordings will take up more space.
The N10/2 comes in two parts: the main unit and a separate outboard power supply. It is always a good idea to keep an electrically noisy circuit such as a power supply with large currents flowing through it away from more sensitive audio sections, purely for sound quality reasons.
The main unit is a simple, uncluttered affair with just four control buttons and a rather small display on the front. Melco has a dedicated app offering, but there is no problem using third party UPnP streaming app alternatives such as mConnect.
The N10/2 comes with both MinimServer and TwonkyMedia server software, as well as SongKong that helps to organise the music database. Knowing just how important it is to get the right metadata tagged onto your music files, Melco has worked hard to ensure that every file is categorised as accurately as possible, with specific treatments for the requirements of different types of music.
File compatibility is excellent, with the Melco able to handle PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 512; that should more than cover most people’s music collections. We found the player switches between formats swiftly and seamlessly.
Wi-fi is off the menu, so the N10/2 has to be hard-wired with an ethernet cable. This makes perfect sense when it comes to network stability. Beyond that, there are three USB 2.0 Type A sockets to connect additional storage devices so you can back-up your music collection.
The Melco is a small unit, understated but visually elegant in its simplicity.
Overall build quality is excellent with the solid aluminium casework on both boxes finished to very high standards. Take a look inside and you will see that care has been taken to decouple any sensitive audio circuit from external vibrations.
SHARPLY ETCHED
We start by using the N10/2 as a music server feeding our reference Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer, and there is a sense of power and solidity that the same music files accessed from the Naim lack. As we listen to Tchaikovsky’s Marché Slave Op.31, the presentation is sharply etched without being obtrusive, and as precise as we have heard. It’s more open than we are used to, with greater space around the instruments.
