Another unusual solution within the N1A is how the unit can be connected to the network and to the streaming player. There are two ethernet ports instead of the usual one at the back. They are also especially filtered and run on their own voltage supply. The port labeled 'LAN' is meant to connect the N1A with the router and the local network. The socket labeled 'Player' will then be used to connect the streaming player directly to the Melco unit. This setup, which in technical words means the N1A acts as a network bridge, is there to remove the player as much as possible from whatever is going on in the rest of the network while at the same time keep it accessible for other devices in the network, for example additional NAS drives. Of course this also means that any music stored in the Melco N1A can also be streamed to other devices within the network, for example in other rooms.

The N1A's sturdy enclosure is thoroughly grounded, as is its power supply. A mains filter behind mains inlet connector helps in cleaning the mains noise. A relay is used to delay and control the powering down of the system so that the operating system and hard disks can shut down properly after the power button has been pressed. Power is being suppled by a powerful 60W switch-mode power supply and voltage regulators on the mainboard. The one-chip processors Marvell Armada 370, the two Seagate hard disks with 2TB capacity each and other parts are fairly standard components and could also be found in other, 'ordinary' NAS drives. The N1A runs on Linux as an operating system and uses a modified Twonky Server 7 to manage stored media data. It comes with an easy-to-understand illustrated manual so that anyone should be able to have the system up in running in no time at all. And once you've done that, you can put it into your hi-fi rack and forget about it.

For this test, I integrated the N1A in my own audio network setup, which included the outstanding Ayon S3 as a streaming player. To control everything I used the well-know PlugPlayer App on my iPad. First, I tried to find out if the Melco’s integrated bridge really made a dif erence in sound. And it does. Maybe not dramatically so but certainly noticeable. The music seemed to be somewhat clearer and more lucent with the Ayon hooked up to the Melco, so I decided to keep that setup for the remainder of the test. I copied some of my favourite tracks from my NAS onto the N1A and spent a lot of time listening. And with every track I played the Melco managed to convince me even more. It's not easy to exactly describe the change in sound quality but it can be compared to a curtain being pulled away in front of the music. It doesn’t matter if you are playing Rock, Jazz or Classic, neither does the bitrate you are using. The N1A will always bring out the best in your components. Not by changing their characteristic sound but by elevating it it to a new, better level and subtly adding a splash of refinement.