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Melco Audio N10/2
A two-box design with an external power supply
The N10/2 is a two-box solution designed to improve sound quality by separating the unit’s power supply from the sensitive ‘head’ unit.
A half-width design, like the entry-level N100, the N10/2 offers easy placement in the home, but with the sound quality benefits of the enhanced N10 solid aluminium chassis and upgraded internals, plus the linear power supply.
Furthermore, the N10/s is available in two distinct varieties: a 5 TB HDD or a premium 3.84 TB SSD version.
- Half-width design benefitting from an external power supply for improved sound quality
- The ‘head’ unit has both newly designed internal electronics hardware and new operating software, with an improved PCB
- Solid aluminium casework (including the end cheeks) for freedom from vibration
- Complex and rigid vibration-reducing internal chassis
- Crystal-clear easy-read low-noise OLED display
- 2x rear USB 2.0 ports for easy backup/expansion and USB DAC connectivity
- Dedicated Player and LAN ports for improved sound quality
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Melco Audio N10/2 — Reference‑grade music library
The N10/2 stakes its claim as a source‑first, two‑box music library that emphasises exceptionally clean, tightly timed playback. Reclocked data integrity via a dedicated Player Ethernet port, packet conditioning and compliant storage mounting delivers a transparent, holographic presentation highlighted by Roland Schmenner, Andrew Everard and What Hi‑Fi. The Intelligent Music Library (MinimServer + SongKong), Roon‑ready operation, assignable USB DAC output and quiet SSD/HDD options make it flexible for local libraries, Qobuz and Tidal. Reviewers consistently note expansive imaging, authoritative bass and an ability to elevate modest DACs, while the solid aluminium head unit and separate linear PSU underline the N10/2’s build‑first design. Ideal for audiophiles who want a low‑noise, high‑resolution server that rewards pairing with a quality DAC.
Pros
- Market‑leading data conditioning and reclocking (dedicated Player port, packet filtering) that tightens timing and lowers noise.
- Consistently improves detail, dynamics and imaging across a wide range of DACs — extracts musical presence even from modest converters.
- Robust two‑box construction with premium aluminium casework, isolated drive suspension and a separate linear PSU for excellent mechanical and electrical isolation.
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Cons
- No built‑in DAC — you must add an external DAC to get analogue output.
- Melco's dedicated control app can be less stable than third‑party UPnP apps, occasionally crashing during use.
- Premium price and finite onboard capacity may be limiting for listeners with very large libraries.
Sound Quality
96/100
Across multiple reviews the N10/2 is repeatedly described as a reference-quality source: 'one of the finest digital sources we've heard' (What Hi‑Fi), 'outstanding' and 'spectacular' (Fidelity, HiFi News). Reviewers consistently report enhanced detail, expansive imaging, natural tonal richness and dynamic authority when paired with a range of DACs (Chord, Naim and budget converters), and several note it behaves as a largely transparent, musical platform rather than imparting an intrusive signature.
Digital Signal Integrity
93/100
Reviews cite concrete engineering for data integrity: twin Ethernet ports with a dedicated Player port, 'rebuilt' and 'reclocked' data streams, severe packet filtering, a custom mainboard optimised for clocked data and storage isolated on a compliant suspension; PSU functions are housed in a separate PS10 with a toroidal transformer and low-noise linear regulation. These specific reclocking/isolation measures and data-path conditioning are credited with tighter timing, lower noise and improved low‑level retrieval.
Streaming Software
89/100
The Melco Intelligent Music Library (MinimServer + SongKong) and Melco Music HD app provide strong library management, Roon‑ready operation and direct access to services (Qobuz, Tidal) and high-res download stores; reviewers praise the metadata handling and convenience of direct downloads. Minor negatives include occasional instability of the Melco app noted by What Hi‑Fi, preventing a perfect score but overall the UX and service integration are highly capable.
Build Quality
92/100
Two-box construction with a separate PS10 (toroidal transformer, substantial caps) and a head unit with rigid aluminium casework, steel chassis and compliant drive suspension yields excellent mechanical and electrical isolation. Reviewers note bespoke, audiophile-focused components (no off‑the‑shelf PC parts), heavy damping plates and high-grade fit and finish, all contributing to the low-noise operation praised in listening tests.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Generous feature set: dual Gigabit Ethernet (one dedicated Player port), front and rear USB-A ports (one assignable as a dedicated USB DAC output), internal SSD/HDD storage with CD-ripping and direct-download capability, Roon‑ready and UPnP support, plus wide format support (PCM to 384kHz, DSD up to DSD512). This combination (internal storage + dedicated USB DAC output + Roon + CD ripping + dual Ethernet) places it firmly in the high end of connectivity for servers.
Value for Money
90/100
The N10/2 is expensive (£6.9k–£8.9k depending on model/region) but reviewers consistently say its performance justifies the price: 'costly... but hard to argue with the value it brings' (HiFi News), and several note it improves even modest DACs. Sentiment is that it represents a justified premium rather than poor value—expensive, but delivering tangible system-wide benefits.
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