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Melco Audio N50
Full-width design, solid-state benefits
Stepping up from the half-width entry-level N100, the N50-H60 (6TB HDD) bridges the gap with exceptional performance and pricing. The next step is to the N50-S38 (3.84 TB SSD) which is Melco’s first full-width library to benefit from an advanced SSD (solid state) hard drive.
The 3.84 TB SSD drive at the N50’s heart, brings the benefits of solid state storage and playback to discerning music lovers wanting a full-width (43 cm) solution to complement existing audio devices.
Based on the original N1A library, the new N50 brings contemporary features and the latest Melco expertise to a classic design aesthetic
- Specially selected HDD and SSD drive for audio performance
- High-quality positive-click front panel buttons
- Crystal-clear easy-read low-noise OLED display
- 3x USB 3.0 ports for easy back up, expansion and DAC connectivity
- Easy music importing from flash, CD or HDD drives
- IEC mains inlet with true electrical ground to define the source component as ground point
- Internal power-line noise filter
- New PCB, layered rigid SSD mounter and feet
- Made in Japan
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Melco N50: SSD music server
The Melco N50 places SSD-based music storage and purposeful engineering at the heart of its design. Reviewers from Jason Kennedy / hi‑fi+ and Michael Evans / StereoNET praise its quiet noise floor, revealing detail and expansive soundstage, with deep, controlled bass and natural midrange. Its rigid SSD cradle, upgraded PSU and dedicated 'Player' Ethernet port are cited for improving digital signal integrity and lowering electrical noise (The Ear, Fidelity Magazine).
Feature-rich and Roon Ready, the N50 includes four USB ports (a DAC‑dedicated output), minimServer/SongKong support and direct Qobuz/HighResAudio download capability — ideal for listeners who prioritise source quality and precise library management.
At its price point it is positioned for serious audiophiles seeking a low-noise, highly musical server with robust buildcraft.
Pros
- Exceptionally musical and revealing presentation with wide, three-dimensional soundstage and natural mids—regularly cited as an upgrade over streamed or laptop sources.
- Very low noise floor and strong digital signal integrity thanks to a rigid SSD cradle, upgraded PSU and a dedicated Player Ethernet port that reduce electrical interference.
- Comprehensive, audiophile-focused connectivity and software: dedicated USB DAC output, four USB ports, dual Ethernet with Player port, Roon Ready, MinimServer/SongKong and direct Qobuz/HighResAudio downloading.
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Cons
- Control interface and front-panel menu can feel clunky; vendor app was described as less polished and historically iPad-centric, which may frustrate some users.
- Premium asking price—reviewers accept the sonic payoff but note the N50 sits at a high price point for buyers weighing alternatives.
Sound Quality
93/100
Reviewers consistently describe the N50 as an excellent, very revealing source with wide soundstaging, natural mids and deep, controlled bass. Multiple reviews (hi-fi+, StereoNET, The Audiophile Man) note that SSD-sourced playback yields more detail, greater dynamics and a quieter background versus laptop/streamed sources, making the N50 highly musical and transparent in front of reference DACs.
Digital Signal Integrity
90/100
Reviews point to a much quieter electrical environment, lower noise floor and improved clock accuracy (The Ear, StereoNET, Fidelity), plus Melco's dual Ethernet arrangement with a dedicated 'Player' port to minimise network noise. The upgraded PSU, rigid SSD cradle and improved feet/isolations are repeatedly cited as technical measures that reduce jitter/EMI and preserve signal integrity for the downstream DAC.
Streaming Software
90/100
The N50 is Roon Ready and ships with MinimServer and SongKong (automated tagging) plus support for TIDAL, Qobuz and vTuner and direct Qobuz/HighResAudio downloading. Some interfaces are described as button-driven or clunky and the vendor app was noted as iPad-only by one reviewer, but overall reviewers praise the stable, feature-rich library management and Roon integration.
Build Quality
91/100
Melco's N50 is described as hand-crafted with a thick full-width chassis, rigid layered SSD cradle, upgraded vibration-control feet and a beefy Neutrik USB DAC connector; the unit's 7 kg weight and revised PSU (+25% output) underline quality engineering. Reviewers note robust mechanical and electrical design focused on isolation and low-noise operation.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Very well equipped: internal SSD (3.84TB) plus HDD (6TB), four USB ports including a dedicated USB DAC output, rear USB expansion/backup ports, dual Ethernet with a dedicated Player port, Roon Ready, UPnP/DLNA, TIDAL/Qobuz support and direct Qobuz/HighResAudio download capability; it also supports gapless PCM, DSD to 11.3MHz (Quad DSD) and CD ripping via Melco's D100 drive. These capabilities combine to place the N50 among the best-featured music servers in its class.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers reference price (reviews cite ~£4,999) and describe the N50 as pricey but justified: phrases include 'best-sounding server for sensible money', 'cemented its position' and endorsements that it 'is worth it' for those who care about sonic fidelity. While some call it 'pretty expensive', consensus is that the performance and build justify the premium in its segment.
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