Melco Audio N5
The Melco N5 is a high-end music server built around exceptionally low noise, vivid dynamics and natural musical flow. The Ear found its direct USB-DAC performance remarkably assured, while HiFi Advice praised its resolving, neutral yet organic presentation. With 5TB storage, optical networking and Roon/UPnP flexibility, it is a serious digital front end for revealing systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally low-noise presentation delivers expansive dynamics, clean transients and freedom from harshness or grain.
Combines high resolution, articulate timing and expressive detail with an organic, non-clinical musical character.
Direct USB-DAC playback is especially strong, with one reviewer preferring its onboard streaming performance to most standalone streamers.
Comprehensive connectivity includes dedicated player Ethernet, SFP optical networking, USB-DAC output and 5TB internal storage.
Cons
Metadata management can be slower because the design prioritizes lower-noise data handling over transfer speed.
The internal hard drive is quiet but not completely silent, and the unit does not automatically power back on after shutdown.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers portray the N5 as an exceptionally accomplished digital source, combining high resolution and vivid dynamics with an unusually relaxed, natural presentation. Its strongest appeal is the way it preserves fine detail, timing and scale without becoming clinical or grainy.
Overall Sound
96/100
HiFi Advice calls the N5 a “superb music source,” praising a neutral, nimble, articulate and expressive character that remains free of analytical dryness. The Ear heard superb dynamics and timing, a vivid three-dimensional image, deep and elastic bass, and a calm, fluent musical quality that made recordings especially engaging.
Digital Signal Integrity
94/100
The Ear attributes the N5's large dynamic range, absence of harshness and grain, and relaxed analogue-like presentation to its very low noise floor. Its low-jitter NDK clock, low-noise linear supply, carefully controlled data handling and vibration-conscious storage mounting provide meaningful engineering support for those listening results.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The N5 is well equipped as a high-end music server, with local storage, direct USB-DAC playback, UPnP operation, Roon capability and optical-network support. Review coverage says less about the day-to-day control experience, but its connectivity is notably comprehensive and purpose-led.
Streaming Software
85/100
MinimServer and Twonky are installed for UPnP use, while Roon endpoint support and Roon Ready operation broaden the N5's ecosystem compatibility. Tidal and Qobuz can be accessed through a chosen control app, though reviewers provide little detail on setup, library navigation, metadata handling or app stability.
Features Connectivity
93/100
The N5 offers dedicated LAN and PLAYER Ethernet ports, an SFP optical-network connection, a DAC-focused USB 2.0 output and two assignable USB 3.0 ports for backup, import, DAC or expansion duties. It also supports PCM to 384kHz, DSD up to 11.3MHz, gapless playback and a wide range of local file formats.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
The N5 uses a thick steel base plate, aluminium fascia, substantial end caps and a full-width chassis. Reviewers also note the selected 5TB drive's HS3 mounting, low-noise linear power supply and professional-grade Amphenol and Neutrik connections, although long-term durability is not discussed.
Value for Money
85/100
At approximately 7,999 to 8,499, the N5 is positioned firmly in the premium music-server market, but neither review directly compares its asking price with close rivals. The Ear does note that Melco has directed savings from less elaborate casework and SSD storage into core internal components, without making a broader value claim.
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Specifications
- Music storage
- 1 x selected 5TB HDD with Melco HS3 mounting
- Network connectivity
- LAN Port-Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Dedicated PLAYER port, Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), SFP Port (1000 mbps MAX)
- USB connectivity
- USB 2.0 port USB DAC-dedicated, 2 x USB 3.0 port assignable as Import, Backup, DAC or expansion, (1 port rear and 1 port front panel), USB player file support: DSF, DFF, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF and AAC
- USB player sample rate support
- 16-32 bit (PCM) to 384 kHz:- auto downsample to suit connected DACs, Gapless PCM support, 1 bit (DSD) to 11.3 MHz Quad DSD, Markerless DSD support, Gapless DSD support, DSD to 32 bit PCM conversion selectable, OLED displays player sample rate and metadata
- Power supply
- Pre-set 230V AC or 120V AC dependent on locality
- Size
- 440 x 77 x 353mm
- Weight
- 10kg
Manufacturer's Description — Melco Audio
The Melco N5 Digital Music Library is the next generation of the acclaimed Melco concept for extreme sound quality from both music stored within the N5, networked music, and external streaming services when used with a USB-DAC.
All Melco Digital Music Libraries play music into either Network Streamers or will play into USB-DAC, and can also be configured to operate without an Ethernet network.
Melco N5 features all-new electronics, with a new mainboard, high grade low noise internal linear power supply and extensive pro-grade connectivity.
Mechanical construction contributes to sound quality by minimising vibration and resonances, with isolating HDD mounting, robust steel panels and substantial aluminium components, and TAOC cast iron feet.
- Selected 5TB HDD drive with Melco HS3 (Highly Stable Storage System) mounting to optimise sound quality
- Pro-grade Neutrik ethernet connectors
- Ethernet SFP port for optical LAN connectivity
- Pro-grade Amphenol USB connectors
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports and 1 x USB 2.0 port for easy backup, expansion and DAC connectivity
- Easy music import from CD, USB flash drives or
HDD drives - MinimServer or Twonky UPnP server or Roon Endpoint selectable
- SongKong metadata editor
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Melco Audio N5
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Art et son — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Atelier 13 Audio — in-store — Forest Hills, Tennessee, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Freak — Germany (website)
- Audio Influence — online and in-store — Fitzroy North, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Audio Sanctuary — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 56 more verified dealers