“The Melco N1-S38 isn’t just a server; it’s a serious audiophile component that deserves a place in the most ambitious digital systems.”
— Stuart Smith, HiFi PiG (UK)
UK-based high-end audio magazine HiFi PiG recently reviewed MELCO’s flagship digital music library, the N1-S38, concluding that it is a reference-grade source capable of standing proudly alongside the world’s best digital transports. Reviewer Stuart Smith provides both detailed sonic impressions and a clear endorsement of the product’s engineering, build quality, and relevance in modern high-end audio systems.
Review Summary
The review frames the N1-S38 as an exceptional all-in-one digital library, combining music server, streamer, and storage functions in a beautifully crafted, heavy-duty aluminum chassis. Smith praises the sound as “open, detailed, controlled, and organic,” particularly noting the unit’s ability to render music with emotional depth and superb timing.
What stands out is the N1-S38’s ability to serve as a high-end digital hub—whether connected to a network player, USB DAC, or used as a standalone server. In multiple system configurations, it demonstrated a clear upgrade in dynamics, separation, and clarity.
In Smith’s words, “It brings a level of refinement that digital often lacks.”
For listeners seeking maximum sonic integrity, musicality, and system integration from a digital source, the N1-S38 is not just an option—it’s a destination.
Read the full review on HiFi PiG – click here.