Melco - a second opinion
Posted by: Jonas Olofsson on 26 January 2016
Melco has been discussed before and to my understanding the conclusions differs. Still in the "getting to know each other" phase, I'm very pleased and impressed with the improvements so far.
The "black ink" and calm within the music (yes, very difficult to describe sound , in a foreign language even worse)...it sounds better...again.
I do look forward to explore high def music files together with my Melco N1Z, I have the feeling that what it does is a hard habit to break.
Highly recommended
//Jonas
I read a comparison of the N1Z and N1A in which the former is described in the most glowing terms possible and the latter was still very highly rated. I must admit that I am sorely tempted to try one 
On the other hand the N1A strip-down by Mike Spragg (easily found using Google) does provide a counter view on the VFM of the product.
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:PhilP posted:Just a couple of points about the Melco:
I understand that the SSD drives in the N1Z cost around $1k each to make. If this is true then it obviously goes a long way to explain why that model is so much more expensive than the N1A.
The Ethernet ports are not optically isolated. They use TDK ALT series pulse transformers.
There is a long thread about the Melco on the MinimServer forum from about a year ago which is very helpful/ interesting.
I read that thread - and boy there is a lot of misinformation spoken about how switching works. It also appears the Melco provides a benefit or not depending on what network data switch is being used according to some of the posts.
This certainly matches my understanding of what the Melco is doing - it is simply acting as a low noise network switch.. there appears no TCP/IP optimisation at all.
I did an experiment yesterday and swapped my Cat 6 cable from my Naim renderer from my Cisco 2960 8 port switch to a Netgear 10/100 BaseT switch. There was a difference - not night and day but a difference - I found with the Netgear the resultant audio was a little lacking in atmosphere - connected back to the 2960 and it was back to what I am used to. So the switches are important - if you can call it that - it does strike me though that Melco is very expensive for a quality un managed switch - but perhaps with USB it becomes a 'no brainer'.
I do decouple my renderer from my DAC so the differences might be more pronounced for a combined renderer / DAC.
Simon
I'm sure that you're correct about the abundant misinformation. The problem for non-networking experts like myself that its not always possible to spot what is correct and what isn't. Some arguments appear quite plausible when in fact they're nonsense. That's why its great to have someone like yourself to put us right when necessary 
The Melco is a render which includes a decent amount of storage as well as acting, as you say, as a low noise network switch. As such one could or course argue that it provides good VFM when compared to renders which have no storage, aren't particularly low noise, don't support USB out and don't sound as good whilst costing considerably more!
Interesting comments on the differences in sound between switches. I'm primarily interested in the Melco for USB out so the networking aspects are only of academic interest to me at the moment, though, who knows, maybe I will go back to networking sometime...
james n posted:PhilP posted:On the other hand the N1A strip-down by Mike Spragg (easily found using Google) does provide a counter view on the VFM of the product.
You could say the same thing about cables from a VFM perspective.
On pure SQ terms the Melco hits the spot (in USB mode). It made quite a difference over the Mac which i really wasn't expecting.
Give it a go Phil...
I don't buy expensive cables any more
I must admit that your posts and those of others on here and elsewhere have made me very interested in trying a Melco. The main thing that puts me off is that for me its only a partial solution. I really want a single renderer that allows me to stream Qobuz (my main source now - maybe 80% of my listening if you include background whilst I'm working) and my own local files using an iPad for control. Melco can't do this (possible via Bubble UPnP on Android but I don't want an Android device) and neither can Aurender (Tidal only currently) though as someone posted earlier in this forum Aurender at least have an early version of a Qobuz app up and running. Auralic can do it but reports from people I trust suggest the SQ isn't as good as Melco, Aurender or Antipodes.
My other objection to the Melco is - its ugly and too big! I've moved completely away from equipment racks (Fraim sold) and I don't want a full-width box. I would ideally like an invisible Hi-Fi system. Though I will admit your system looks great in your room (System Pics)
Apparently, they will be showing it at the Bristol show later this month It's called the N1ZH60 and has 6TB of SSD so it won't be cheap .