Edition 6 - July 2020
Welcome
Welcome to Sound Matters – Melco Audio’s newsletter, designed to keep you updated on Melco news and industry insights.
We hope you are all keeping safe and well in these difficult times and managing to enjoy your music. For those of you new to Melco, we offer the world's first audiophile-grade source components to access, store, deliver and play Hi-Res digital music without the use of computer hardware and peripherals. Our digital music libraries are the talk of industry awards and regularly used by leading audio manufacturers to showcase their devices. If you have any ideas for future content you’d like to see in our newsletter, please message us at: hello@melco-audio-masters.com Happy reading and enjoy the music! Daniel Raggett, Melco Europe General Manager Build a digital music library or stream music?
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Which brands do you sell?
Naim Audio, Linn, ATC, Rega, Kudos, Neat Acoustics, Focal, Cyrus, Quadraspire, Dynavector, Ortofon, Technics, Shahinian and Custom Designs.
We stock products based on a few basic criteria. For us, it is about sound quality, build quality, user experience and longevity. We will only invest in brands that we think offer the customer long-term listening pleasure. We also want the customer to be confident that their investment is built to last and in the unlikely event that something may go wrong, the product can be supported.
Why do you do what you do?
I have been into hi-fi and music for over three decades, spurred on by my dad being interested in both. I pursued this at Uni by developing an audio-based project in my final year, before applying for jobs at hi-fi companies. I worked at Naim in Test and R&D (EMC compliance) and then at Pace where I was working on audio/ video compliance.
DNA Audio is focused on the customer experience. This is from the decision-making process to the product they buy, to how they are looked after, following their purchase.
What do you enjoy about Melco?
The Melco music servers are not just about storing and playing music. They can be used to help you get the most performance out of your existing music streamer. I have been using a Linn Klimax DS and the improvement in performance when the Melco N1Z is in the system is not subtle: it is a substantial uplift in performance.
Melco is a good fit for what we do now and what we plan to do in the future. It sits well with Linn and Naim, and now I have had a play with them, I am happy that it not only adds functionality but also makes the source sound better too. The build quality on the Melco N1Z is superb and the modular nature of the N100, N10, D100 and S100 will work well.
Naim Audio, Linn, ATC, Rega, Kudos, Neat Acoustics, Focal, Cyrus, Quadraspire, Dynavector, Ortofon, Technics, Shahinian and Custom Designs.
We stock products based on a few basic criteria. For us, it is about sound quality, build quality, user experience and longevity. We will only invest in brands that we think offer the customer long-term listening pleasure. We also want the customer to be confident that their investment is built to last and in the unlikely event that something may go wrong, the product can be supported.
Why do you do what you do?
I have been into hi-fi and music for over three decades, spurred on by my dad being interested in both. I pursued this at Uni by developing an audio-based project in my final year, before applying for jobs at hi-fi companies. I worked at Naim in Test and R&D (EMC compliance) and then at Pace where I was working on audio/ video compliance.
DNA Audio is focused on the customer experience. This is from the decision-making process to the product they buy, to how they are looked after, following their purchase.
What do you enjoy about Melco?
The Melco music servers are not just about storing and playing music. They can be used to help you get the most performance out of your existing music streamer. I have been using a Linn Klimax DS and the improvement in performance when the Melco N1Z is in the system is not subtle: it is a substantial uplift in performance.
Melco is a good fit for what we do now and what we plan to do in the future. It sits well with Linn and Naim, and now I have had a play with them, I am happy that it not only adds functionality but also makes the source sound better too. The build quality on the Melco N1Z is superb and the modular nature of the N100, N10, D100 and S100 will work well.
DNA Audio demo space system rack
What is Hi-Res audio?
Dan George - PR Manager at Melco Audio
Hi-Res audio is no longer the preserve of audiophiles. Consumers are increasingly becoming aware of Hi-Res streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz, and with giants like Amazon now offering CD-quality+ streams, it has never been easier for mum and dad to access a world of Hi-Res music. This can only be good news for music lovers after a lost decade (or more) of MP3 acceptability.
Hi-Res audio, is in fact, becoming something of a buzzword and it’s not difficult for newcomers to find handy online guides, explaining what it is, what all those file formats mean and how to get it. It’s when Hi-Res audio is discussed in audiophile circles, however, that the buzz becomes blurred.
So, let’s start with a definition: put simply, high-resolution audio (or Hi-Res audio) is an umbrella term for better-than-CD quality. So is CD still good enough? The question has ignited plenty of online debate in recent times, fuelled by internationally respected digital audio designers chipping in to suggest that done well, CD is all any music lover could ever need. The suggestion comes just at the time when most of us (97% of UK households) have the access to high-speed broadband that makes Hi-Res streaming finally possible.
From a technical perspective, it’s hard to argue with the science. A high-res file at 24-bit/192kHz resolution is going to offer more information than CD’s standard 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution. With replay equipment capable of delivering the bandwidth, it should be possible to distinguish between the two under blind conditions. However, many published studies have shown that for the general public, it’s not as obvious as you might think. Thankfully, audiophiles have finely honed listening skills and can identify better quality sound in the way that the general public can more easily spot, say, a HD TV image over an SD one – think newsreader wrinkles.
But, ‘better’ is in the eye of the beholder and here we circle back to the earlier observation that for audiophiles, Hi-Res can be a little blurred. Subjectivity has enabled the choice of hi-fi brands we take for granted today. We know how much technology (think valves), brands and system set up can divide opinion and Hi-Res audio, including DSD, is no different.
Hi-Res is just as much about personal preference than pure numbers. Most Melco fans brave enough to have read this far will likely have a mix of both CD and Hi-Res music files and, perhaps, the good fortune to own multiple versions of the same track or album, in anything from a digitised vinyl rip upwards, enabling critical comparison in the comfort of their own homes with known systems and rooms.
So long as we have the vital replay hardware to be able to highlight the differences, we’ll be in the privileged position to judge Hi-Res for ourselves and make our own choices. Of one thing I’m certain: having the most advanced digital music library in the world from Melco, backed by a modern USB DAC, means there is no better way on earth to enjoy music, compare recordings and join the debate.
Hi-Res audio, is in fact, becoming something of a buzzword and it’s not difficult for newcomers to find handy online guides, explaining what it is, what all those file formats mean and how to get it. It’s when Hi-Res audio is discussed in audiophile circles, however, that the buzz becomes blurred.
So, let’s start with a definition: put simply, high-resolution audio (or Hi-Res audio) is an umbrella term for better-than-CD quality. So is CD still good enough? The question has ignited plenty of online debate in recent times, fuelled by internationally respected digital audio designers chipping in to suggest that done well, CD is all any music lover could ever need. The suggestion comes just at the time when most of us (97% of UK households) have the access to high-speed broadband that makes Hi-Res streaming finally possible.
From a technical perspective, it’s hard to argue with the science. A high-res file at 24-bit/192kHz resolution is going to offer more information than CD’s standard 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution. With replay equipment capable of delivering the bandwidth, it should be possible to distinguish between the two under blind conditions. However, many published studies have shown that for the general public, it’s not as obvious as you might think. Thankfully, audiophiles have finely honed listening skills and can identify better quality sound in the way that the general public can more easily spot, say, a HD TV image over an SD one – think newsreader wrinkles.
But, ‘better’ is in the eye of the beholder and here we circle back to the earlier observation that for audiophiles, Hi-Res can be a little blurred. Subjectivity has enabled the choice of hi-fi brands we take for granted today. We know how much technology (think valves), brands and system set up can divide opinion and Hi-Res audio, including DSD, is no different.
Hi-Res is just as much about personal preference than pure numbers. Most Melco fans brave enough to have read this far will likely have a mix of both CD and Hi-Res music files and, perhaps, the good fortune to own multiple versions of the same track or album, in anything from a digitised vinyl rip upwards, enabling critical comparison in the comfort of their own homes with known systems and rooms.
So long as we have the vital replay hardware to be able to highlight the differences, we’ll be in the privileged position to judge Hi-Res for ourselves and make our own choices. Of one thing I’m certain: having the most advanced digital music library in the world from Melco, backed by a modern USB DAC, means there is no better way on earth to enjoy music, compare recordings and join the debate.
In the press
Industry-wide appreciation for Melco products:
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Stereonet UK Applause Award for the Melco N1A EX.
HiFi Wigwam – Melco N100 music library review. Hi-Fi Choice magazine group test winner - Melco N100 digital music library streamer group test winner. What Hi-Fi? five-star ‘Highly recommended’ Melco N100 digital music library - double-page spread review in June issue. Melco N100 included in What Hi-Fi? round-up of best music servers of 2020 -Melco N100 rated five stars. FIDELITY magazine awarded Melco first prize in the digital music server category in their annual awards for the N10. Melco S100 audiophile data switch review via LowBeats (in German). Electronic Sound Magazine featured Melco N100 digital music library in their ‘history of electronic music’ special edition. |
FREE summer gift from Qobuz
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Whatever your plans this summer, make sure you have great music! Qobuz has kindly gifted friends of Melco a selection of albums ranging from classical to pop and rock to jazz, CD quality and Hi-Res and 100% free to download!
Visit www.qob.uz/melcoaudio to access your free one-month subscription Enjoy! |
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