Melco N1Z/2EX Network Audio Server

• Dedicated Music Server
• Extruded Aluminium Chassis
• Network-attached storage
• Includes Twonky Server
• Dual Ethernet ports - dedicated PLAYER port and LAN port
• Audio grade ultra-low jitter internal data clock
• Dedicated USB-DAC port
• Dual power supplies

The Melco N1Z 2EX is a flagship Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive that is specifically designed for music streaming applications. By focusing the functionality on music, the Melco only offers the features you need making it not only very easy to use, but it offers improved reliability and sound quality. It does this with an ultra-low jitter internal data clock and buffers with a low noise Ethernet interface. It has true audiophile components for both Ethernet connected Players (Streamers) and for connection to a USB connected DAC.

The N1Z 2EX has a dedicated PLAYER Ethernet port. This allows connection directly to the network Streamer or Player without any data switch in the signal path which would damage the music data. This direct connection concept is unique to Melco. The Ethernet purifier between the LAN and PLAYER ports ensures that the Player receives only clean and accurate data, all packets are timed with low-jitter precision and all unwanted traffic is blocked. LAN lights can be disabled for the highest possible data integrity.

There are two methods of operation – Network Mode is the default and allows a Tablet connected to the Wi-Fi to control the player as normal.  But for ultra-pure music playback DIRECT MODE can be selected – in this case, there is no need for any external Ethernet or IT components, and the Melco acts as DHCP server to the Player. Browsing and control are then achieved from the player's remote. 

The 2EX specification is a further development on their flagship N1Z with a primary focus on curating your music library allowing the ease of navigation within Classical and Jazz genres (such as searching through composers, conductors and soloists, previously incredibly difficult when they're all defined as 'artists'). The N1Z Player supports PCM up to 384 kHz / 32 bit, and DSD up to 11.3 MHz Quad DSD and includes automatic sample rate adjustment to match the capabilities of the connected DAC e.g.192 kHz is automatically downsampled to play on a 96 kHz capable DAC. It also offers conversion of DSD to 32 bit PCM for a USB DAC that does not support DSD.

There are many improvements internally over the original N1Z. To further reduce internal noise there is a new capacitor bank to isolate the two medical-grade power supplies and a built-in power supply noise filter.

The N1Z 2EX contains a choice of two new 2^nd generation drives. The SFF drives are like normal HDD drives but with reduced electrical noise and vibration. Alternatively, Melco has specially developed Audio Grade Solid State Drives which are quite unlike a standard IT SSD which are quite unsuitable for streaming media. Melco has re-engineered their SSD drives to reduce their speed with precision slow data writing and a self-integrity check which operate in the background for greater stability.

The newly selected HDD's are mounted on a large, non-magnetic plate within an isolated compartment of the frame and offer increased capacity, 2 x 3TB HDD or 1x 2TB SSD. These are powered by a dedicated power supply.

A front-panel USB 3.0 port makes importing from a USB stick or USB drive very convenient and is in addition to 3 rear USB 3.0 ports for Easy Backup, Easy Expansion, Easy Play and Easy import.

Grahams recommend you partner this Server with:

• Chord Hugo TT 2 DAC/Headphone Amplifier
  

Please contact us to arrange a demonstration. 

Technical Specifications