Mr Araki, CEO of Melco Syncrets, the Hifi division of the Japanese IT company Buffalo Technology, has announced the launch of the Melco N10 ‘extreme performance’ Hi-Res digital Music Library and the more entry level N100.

The Melco N10 is housed in two units, each chassis 215mm wide, half the width of conventional Hifi components. The Head Unit contains all the processing electronics and the data connectivity. The Power Unit contains a low noise linear power supply and power management. Side by side the two units are the same size as conventional Hifi. The casing is the same size as the Melco D100 CD loader and the E100 Expansion drive. Internal storage is 3TB HDD. Easily expandable by either IT USB HDD or the Melco E100. Additional E100’s increases capacity in steps of 3TB. A USB connected DAC allows the N10 to perform as a self-contained local HiRes Digital Music player. Data rates up to 32bit 384kHz and Octo DSD are supported. All Gapless and with Melco Markerless DSD fully supported.

Melco say that separating the units allows total isolation of noise pollution, as well as isolating any vibration from the power transformer. The power supply uses advanced techniques to minimise both internal and external noise, both of which would affect the main Hifi system. The power supply has an IEC 3 wire mains supply with a properly defined ground reference point. Connectivity between the Power Unit and the Head Unit is by flexible cord with Neutrik multi-pin connectors. The metalwork of both units comprising the N10 is designed around a high-quality solid aluminium case, including solid aluminium end cheeks. Multiple elements ensure rigidity and isolation of all N10 is the same size as the newly introduced D100 CD Loader and E100 Expansion. Available in November in UK and Europe at €7500 / £6750.

The N100 has an internal storage is 2TB HDD which is again easily expandable by either IT USB HDD or the Melco E100  and again a USB connected DAC allows the N100 to perform as a self-contained local HiRes Digital Music player. Data rates up to 32bit 384kHz and Octo DSD are supported. All Gapless and with Melco Markerless DSD fully supported. Control of the USB-DAC player is from the new Melco App, from the front panel, or from approved third-party RF Remote handset N100 will operate with both USB DAC and also Ethernet connected player even without connection to a data network, in standalone Isolated Mode. Available from the end of September in UK and Europe. Price €2000 / £1800.

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