An increasing number of people are using network attached storage (NAS) devices to handle their collection of digital music files.  After all, what's not to like?  One small box can contain a veritable living room's worth of CDs, ripped LPs or high-resolution downloads.  When connected to your chosen streamer, such as Linn DS, PS audio Directstream, and many DACs with USB input, it makes playback from an armchair as easy as it can be.

Except there's one problem.  Most NAS drives are not purely for hi-fi replay.  Instead, they will store music, pictures, videos and any other digital files you care to mention.  Which is all good.... but perhaps not ideal when it comes to getting the best sound possible from your music.

At Element Acoustics, we have been searching and searching....  Finally, we are happy to introduce the audiophile NAS - Melco Audio.  Who is Melco?  The name may be new to many, but those who may recall Melco for its range of well-regarded turntables from the 80s.  The company later rebranded as Buffalo as it branched out into the computer industry, becoming one of the largest IT peripheral manufacturers in the world with products including wireless routers, ethernet data switches and storage devices.

But founder Makoto Maki remined a committed audiophile and more than two years ago revived the Melco brand with the aim of providing music-lovers with high-technology networked devices. Here are some highlights of the Melco NAS

• high grade power supplies with audiophile grade components
• dedicated LAN port for Player (Streamer) connectivity
• Optimum data integrity and simple setup
• Audio-grade ultra low jitter data clock
• hard drives with floating mechanism

There are currently two models:

N1A $1,999 USD

N1ZH $3,999 USD

Here is one of our customer's reviewe on the N1A:

"Good morning Edward, Although vinyl will always sound different to digital I have to admit this is the most musical and analog sounding piece of gear I ever heard from the digital side, period! It's really is the missing link to digital playback.  What it does is brings ease to digital music with very low noise. Set up is a breeze with a USB DAC and N1A is recognized as a computer by the network with a share folder.  For your information my DAC is not lised as compatible by Melco but it still works fine so I'm certain many more DAC's will work just fine with the N1A.  Currently using BubbleUPNP as controller and it's glitch free.  Casing is nice and sturdy and has a very nice look. Overall very impressed, I'd be very surprised if you didn't sell boatloads of Melco's.  ~ DL "