Melco Audiophile NAS

[ptcl99]

(18-01-2022 20:36)simoncn Wrote:  I will be very interested to hear your opinion about the comparison between the two-drive and single-drive models. I have heard the single drive is better for sound quality but I haven't been able to compare these myself.

Some years ago, I installed Crucial BX100 512GB disks in both my Melcos. There was a noticeable sound quality improvement, with the music having creater clarity and transparency especially at the low end.

I haven't yet needed to update to a newer model of SSD, so I don't have any personal experience of using MX500s. In the current Crucial model range, the MX500 is the closest to the BX100 because it has a similar controller (Silicon Motion SM2258 in MX500 and Silicon Motion SM2246 in BX100).

Among the three comparisons made recently, Crucial MX 500 vs. genuine drives, Twonky vs. Minimserver, and Melco N1Z/2 H60 vs. N1Z/2 H50 (single drive), the greatest amount of time was spent on the third. I usually could get an impression of liking or disliking before more assessment.

In a week, I listened in the order of H60, H50, H60, and H50 with Minimserver and no additional software. They were alternatively plugged into a Shunyata power conditioner. In each case, I liked the result. The presentations were both dynamic, harmonically beautiful, 3D-like, and well-delineated in space. I might have heard slightly smoother strings with the H50 sometimes, but I believe I will fail a double-blind test.

The new model supposedly has a better power supply and a customized drive. The difference is beyond my hearing ability. The new Melco drive first appearing in the N10 45 Anniversary model does look impressive.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/melco-n...ary-page-2

I trust that Melco measured both models with lab instruments and employed people with better hearing abilities than mine to make improvements at no extra cost. I am pleased with the H50.