THE JAPANESE HIFI BRAND LAUNCH THEIR NEW MELCO S100/2 DATA SWITCH

The new Melco S100/2 Data Switch builds on the Japanese HiFi brand’s original ‘audiophile’ data switch with key performance upgrades.

Melco’s S100 was one of the original ‘audiophile’ data switches; the new Melco S100/2 has been designed as a step up.

The Melco S100/2 Data Switch

MELCO S100/2 DATA SWITCH

Melco Audio, the Japanese digital music specialist brand has announced a second-generation version of its S100 data switch.

NEW POWER SUPPLY AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH CONNECTIVITY

As part of the Japanese factory’s continual improvement programme, the new S100/2 has been upgraded in two key areas and now includes higher-bandwidth connectivity, plus a new and improved internal Melco power supply; the S100/2 is hand-made in Japan.

The Melco S100/2 Data Switch paired with the N100 network music library

FLAGSHIP MELCO S10

The development of the new model included trickle-down technology and design ideas from the flagship S10 switch, a two-box design with an audiophile-grade external power supply which launched earlier this year.

When conceptualising the second-generation version, Melco’s engineers identified the increasing demands placed on networks and data switches in the home where, in addition to audio devices, TVs, set-top boxes and games consoles etc. all put demands on bandwidth.

Melco S100/2 and N100

MELCO S100/2 DATA SWITCH DEDICATED AUDIO PORTS

Accordingly, the new S100/2 now benefits from an upgrade to six one-gigabit Ethernet ports, coupled with two 100 megabit Ethernet ports for audio. The configuration retains the speed-mix advantages of the original S100, and now offers greater speeds to bandwidth-hungry devices while retaining dedicated audio ports. Internally, the S100/2 gains an improved power circuit board with a carefully selected AC adapter.

Rear view of the Melco S100/2 Data Switch

OPTICAL FIBRE CONNECTIONS

The S100/2 also retains the SFP (small form factor pluggable) connections seen in the original model, which allow upgrades to optical fibre connections with compatible devices, for even greater noise isolation and sonic performance. Finally, an LED indicator on/off button is included, allowing users to switch off the ‘flash’ effect as data is being transferred.

MELCO S100/2 DATA SWITCH PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Despite a backdrop of widespread global inflation, Melco has implemented the key upgrades in the new Japanese-made S100/2 without increasing the price.

The S100/2 is available now in silver or black at £2,099.

HiFi Pig Says: Read the HiFi Pig review of the original Melco S100 data Switch here.