Melco N1 connection to Naim streamer

Henk Molenaar posted:

What is the best way to connect my Melco N1A to my Naim streamer NAC N272?

If I connect my Melco directly to the 272 and put network setting in Melco to  "the direct"connection" methode (which sounds better than the "network connection" methode) it is impossible to use Tidal and to use the Naim application on my Ipad because there is no connection anymore between the network and the 272........ Is there a smart work around or solution for this?

Thanks in advance.

Why can't you still connect your 272 to the home network? The 272 will be quite happy having a direct feed from your Melco but still itself be controlled by the Naim app.

best

David

As you have both items, the try it!

(I suspect the Melco won't pass through network packets, but it might).

Hi David,

impossible, the 272 network connection is used for the connection cable between Melco and 272 (there is no second connection option on 272).

To make 272 connection with the network you can connect the Melco to the network and to the 272 (2 different outlets on Melco), and put the software setting into  the Melco to "network" mode instead of "direct" mode. Now I can communicate with the 272 (via the Melco) so I can use the Naim application on my IPAD but the sound from the Melco in "network mode" is not as good as in "direct mode".

Thanks anyway for your reply! 

I've read the Melco manual now and can see your problem. But it does seem very odd to me that the "direct" connection sounds so much better than via the lan, or even via a switch to which only the Melco, the 272 and an Ethernet cable back to the wifi router are connected. At the Naim end it's exactly the same, so it must be seeing Upnp traffic from the Melco and I don't see why that would be better direct than via a switch on the lan.  But anyway, I think you are going to have to decide whether the increase in quality you perceive is worth the loss of control. Happy listening anyway.

best

David

Does it make any difference if you connect the Melco’s LAN port to the network, as well as the direct port to the 272? I’m wondering if the 272 can get its network access via the Melco. 

The PLAYER port on the N1A connects to the 272.  No data switch in the path etween the two.  This is real Ethernet so up to 90m of cable.  Note that fast cable is better (CAT7).

If you do not connect anything to the Melco LAN port then the Melco has to be set to DIRECT MODE - this makes the N1A give DHCP to the 272.

But if you wish for TIDAL etc, and Internet updates to the 272, then the N1A is left set to default NETWORK MODE and the LAN port on the N1A connects to the residential network (router, switch, power-line Ethernet etc).

TIDAL etc will flow through the Melco LAN to PLAYER port - the data stream is rebuilt after it has been twice round the globe and TIDAL SQ improves quite markedly. 

There should be only a small difference between DIRECT MODE and NETWORK MODE - and it is simple to switch between them for critical listening.

Key point is that the 272 should always be connected to the PLAYER port on the N1A - if you connect the 272 to the residential network switch then most Melco benefit is lost.

Hope this helps - enjoy the music.

Alan

Good, I was right. Just looking at the back of the Melco suggests that’s what one should do. I once spoke to someone with a Melco, and they controlled everything with the Naim app quite happily, with the 272 on the player socket. 

Thanks everybody for giving an answer on my question!!! I will have to listen critically again to the difference in soundquality with the Melco configured and connected in network mode or direct mode......

Thanks again!

Well I think Alan has given as authoratative an answer as you are ever likely to get anywhere. So I suggest you do as he says. He should know...

best

David

Ok, I am happy now......

With experimenting I noticed one very important thing: put the Melco controller into "mode 1"  (settings, usb-dac, controller, mode 1). It makes the the use of the Melco with the Naim application on my IPAD much, much  more stable than leaving the controller setting into position "hybrid". 

So finally very happy with my Melco in combination wit the N272!!

For those of us for whom this conversation is being conducted in Martian, can anyone just do a diagram? Please... Thank you.

Sorry for the techie-speak.......

There is a Melco Hardware Manual at 

https://www.melco-audio.com/ap..._EN.pdf?t=1511932840

I give the link as I do not know how to add diagrams to your forum.  On PAGE 6 at the top is a diagram showing everything that can be connected to a Melco.

The Melco is normally connected to the residential network.  This is ITEM 1 in the diagram and the Router / switch / hub  connects to the LAN port on the Melco.  Length of cable less than 90 metres and you CAN use Power Ethernet or other devices for this connection.  

To use a Naim NDS network streamer, then that is ITEM 5 in the diagram.  Note that this connects DIRECTLY to the PLAYER port on the Melco. Cable length max 90m and please do connect directly without any data switch as is shown in the diagram.

The Melco will pass to the NDS - Music as requested by the NDS, Streaming and Internet radio services, and of course control to the NDS from a TABLET on the residential network.

(Additionally the Melco will 'see' other UPnP servers from other network devices or computers or NAS drives, and these will be available to play on the NDS and are selected as part of the Melco Library.)

(Second additionally - if there is NOT a residential network - no ITEM 1 - then the Melco is set to DIRECT MODE and the Melco then gives DHCP to the NDS and music is selected using the NDS remote handset and front panel display.  Obviously no streaming services or internet radio in that case)

I am happy to take phone calls for clarification - 07899 896 848

There are also application notes and more diagrams if you let me know what you need, but I need to send them to an email address to save the Naim Forum from my stuff.

The additional items on the diagram are simply - EXPANSION DRIVE to expand capacity of the N1 beyond the capacity supplied, BACKUP DRIVE for a two button fail-safe backup, and connection of external USB Music Source, or connection of a USB CD loader for direct import of music from the USB HDD or USB STICK or from a CD DRIVE to allow archiving of CD collection.

Finally, as an option,  we show how a USB DAC can be connected to the USB DAC port for play into a DAC rather than a Streamer - or both at the same time if you wish.

Sounds more complicated than it is - honestly!!

Enjoy the music!  Alan

Alan Melco posted:

...

Finally, as an option,  we show how a USB DAC can be connected to the USB DAC port for play into a DAC rather than a Streamer - or both at the same time if you wish.

Sounds more complicated than it is - honestly!!

Enjoy the music!  Alan

Thanks for the clarifications! For users of Naim DACs, it would be great if Melco would offer a high quality SPDIF output as an additional option or as an alternative to the USB output.

Alan Melco posted:

Sorry for the techie-speak.......

There is a Melco Hardware Manual at 

https://www.melco-audio.com/ap..._EN.pdf?t=1511932840

I give the link as I do not know how to add diagrams to your forum.  On PAGE 6 at the top is a diagram showing everything that can be connected to a Melco.

The Melco is normally connected to the residential network.  This is ITEM 1 in the diagram and the Router / switch / hub  connects to the LAN port on the Melco.  Length of cable less than 90 metres and you CAN use Power Ethernet or other devices for this connection.  

To use a Naim NDS network streamer, then that is ITEM 5 in the diagram.  Note that this connects DIRECTLY to the PLAYER port on the Melco. Cable length max 90m and please do connect directly without any data switch as is shown in the diagram.

The Melco will pass to the NDS - Music as requested by the NDS, Streaming and Internet radio services, and of course control to the NDS from a TABLET on the residential network.

(Additionally the Melco will 'see' other UPnP servers from other network devices or computers or NAS drives, and these will be available to play on the NDS and are selected as part of the Melco Library.)

(Second additionally - if there is NOT a residential network - no ITEM 1 - then the Melco is set to DIRECT MODE and the Melco then gives DHCP to the NDS and music is selected using the NDS remote handset and front panel display.  Obviously no streaming services or internet radio in that case)

I am happy to take phone calls for clarification - 07899 896 848

There are also application notes and more diagrams if you let me know what you need, but I need to send them to an email address to save the Naim Forum from my stuff.

The additional items on the diagram are simply - EXPANSION DRIVE to expand capacity of the N1 beyond the capacity supplied, BACKUP DRIVE for a two button fail-safe backup, and connection of external USB Music Source, or connection of a USB CD loader for direct import of music from the USB HDD or USB STICK or from a CD DRIVE to allow archiving of CD collection.

Finally, as an option,  we show how a USB DAC can be connected to the USB DAC port for play into a DAC rather than a Streamer - or both at the same time if you wish.

Sounds more complicated than it is - honestly!!

Enjoy the music!  Alan

 

 

Most helpful. Thank you very much (I am an Arts graduate).