Melco N1A/2 and N1ZH/2 Music Servers
Not all NAS servers are created equal!
Review sample provided by Dimex
Retail prices in the Netherlands:
Melco N1A/2: € 2499,00 black & silver
Melco N1ZH/2: € 4999,00 black & silver
Melco Hi-Res Audio Ethernet Cable: from 49 euro for a 0.5m length
As part of the CH Precision A1 + C1 review, a Melco music server was also supplied. It was only the entry-level N1A/2 model but still, using its dedicated Network output and streaming via UPnP to the CH Precision C1, it outperformed all the USB competition that I had at hand. After I finished the CH review, the Melco server needed to be returned but the distributor was kind enough to let me keep the CH components a little longer. This made me think: If the entry-level Melco model already performed so well, what about the models further up in their catalog?
Initially, the C1 did not have a USB card and so at that time, I did not have a chance to assess the Melco’s USB outputs. So, I requested a USB card for the C1 from CH Precision and contacted Andre van den Berg of Dimex, our Dutch distributor for Melco. He was happy to supply not only the N1A/2 but also the next model up, the N1ZH/2 so that I could assess the Melco’s USB outputs, as well as see how the two models compared.
Dennis Schluter delivered both servers plus a Melco C1AE Cat.7 Network cable and explained that Melco’s are not just PC’s, but purpose-built devices. For example, the hard drives are formatted in a proprietary manner and are deliberately limited in speed. They’re plenty fast for audio uses but slow enough to avoid inducing noise into the system.
Shortly after connecting the servers, an update became available for download op the device’s displays. I clicked yes, and the update was carried out automatically. Among other things, the new firmware now adds expansion drives in the scan and allows the unit to retain the assembled library index even after power off. For any UPnP device, browsing on folder level is always possible immediately, but prior to this particular update, the indexed data (extracted from the files’ meta tags) needed to be retrieved again every time the unit was power cycled. The import of WAV tags is another area where important improvements have been made. Melco has taken special steps to make sure that the software can read all WAV standards, even if inaccurate or badly assembled. All my CD’s are ripped as WAVs via dB Poweramp and I can report that all tags appear precisely as they should. Finally, I understand that the new update is said to raise the sound quality compared to the last version, but I have not carried out any comparisons to be able to comment on this. All I can say is that the N1A/2 sounded great before the update, and it still sounds great after the update. Note that this review is based on both servers running FW V3.80.
Armed with three DACs and three servers, plus the two Melco’s, the comparisons could commence! The main DAC will be the CH Precision C1 DAC/Controller with Network as well as USB inputs, but I will also use the Bryston BDA-3 and the Aqua Formula xHD. The main servers, of course, are the two Melco’s but I will also use the Antipodes EX, Bryston BDP-3, and AudioAanZee Reference Flow servers.
Technical Aspects
There are none! Well, there are, of course, but Melco servers truly are Plug and Play, meaning that no technical knowledge is required to get them to work. Connect a server via USB and it will work. Choose Network instead, and it will also just work. Disconnect the Network cable and reconnect it, and the music simply resumes. It even resumes replay after disconnecting the direct link and substituting it for a connection to any random Network switch that is in the existing Network. So, nothing to configure, and no headaches.
Operation
The Melco servers come with Twonky Media Server preinstalled. All the music that you load on the server is automatically indexed and can be controlled with any UPnP application. This includes software for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS computers, phones or tablets. Other server software can be installed on the Melco, as well as Plug-Ins, such as SongKong, which allows manual and automatic metadata editing. The best app to control a Melco server is probably Linn Kazoo, which can be freely downloaded and is available for both Android and iOS.
Listening via USB
Although I had a feeling that the Melco’s special Network outputs were key to them sounding so good, this was something that first had to be proven in practice, and so, I opted to start with the USB connection and work toward my end goal from there. Also, it is fair to say that the CH Precision C1 is priced quite extravagantly, so I thought it best to start with the more attainable DACs.
The entry-level Melco N1A/2 when connected via USB to the Bryston BDA-3 DAC, did not disappoint. It was sublimely articulate, well-detailed and very transparent. The Bryston BDP-3 server, by comparison, was bolder in its presentation, but sounded quite rough, even if it was quite engaging. The Antipodes EX server’s performance running Roon leaned more to the other side, with a much more sonorous sound. In spite of its colorfulness, the EX was just as detailed and refined as the Melco and did project a wider soundstage, with vocals seemingly focused more clearly in the center. Tonality aside, I also felt that the N1A/2 just did not engage me so much emotionally now, as it did when it was connected to the C1 via a Network connection. But before I can prove or disprove that theory, let’s continue with the USB side of things.
Switching to the Melco N1ZH/2, still connected to the Bryston DAC via USB, the difference was far from subtle! All the articulation and transparency of the N1A/2 remained, but the sound became markedly richer and fuller while avoiding sounding thick or colored. While the N1A/2 could be said to sound timbrally a little thin, the N1ZH/2 has spot-on natural timbre and great texture and is much more powerful bass. Granted, the Antipodes EX sounds richer and is more forceful in the bass and lower midrange but both Melcos are more articulate and more transparent.
All the other audiophile parameters such as focus, refinement, and soundstaging were on par between the N1ZH/2 and the EX, making the remaining differences much a matter of taste and system synergy.
The AudioAanZee Reference Flow server, by the way, fell somewhere in the middle between the Antipodes and the N1ZH/2 in terms of smoothness and richness and was pleasant to listen to, but it fell behind these two in terms of nuance, and, more importantly, it did not sound quite as timbrally convincing.
At this stage, I had a clear preference for the N1ZH/2 and noticed that my brains were approving of all the audiophile parameters, and rhythmically I also found this server to be most involving, but, still I did not feel the music wash over me like it did via Network into the C1, with the entry-level N1A/2, no less.
DAC Change
To see how much the server-DAC match was a thing, I switched from the Bryston BDA-3 DAC to the Aqua Formula xHD DAC. Now the sound was not quite as powerful or as ballsy in the bass as with the Bryston DAC, but all the more transparent and refined for it, and definitely not too clean. The Bryston is a highly engaging DAC, for sure, but the Aqua impresses with subtler aspects, such as the aforementioned refinement and transparency, but also in terms of image specificity, treble air, and the length of decays. Switching to the Melco N1A/2 into the Aqua DAC, as expected, the sound became thinner and barer in comparison. I didn’t notice it before with the Bryston DAC, but now it also became clear that the N1A/2 also sounds drier than the N1ZH/2. The combination sounded refined and articulate, but I felt that the very revealing Aqua could be better matched.
So far, judged on USB performance alone, it would seem that the N1ZH/2 is an extremely good server that quite clearly tops the entry-level N1A/2, which is actually a great server itself, provided that it is smartly matched. Importantly, while the non-Melco servers offered differences in tonality, catering to different taste, none of them could beat the N1ZH/2 in any of the audiophile parameters. But this is not yet the end of the story. Switch to the Network connection using a Network-capable DAC, and matters become even more interesting.
CH Precision C1 with Bryston BDP-3 on top.
CH Precision C1
Before I could dive into the Network side of things, I needed to asses the N1ZH/2’s sound via USB, into the CH Precision C1. The C1 adds another perspective to this by offering the choice between USB Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 is limited to 96kHz but sounds very noticeably tighter and more articulate. Class 2 sound freer, smoother and more fluid, but is also slower in pace and less tight in the bass. The C1 is a very sonorous and rich sounding DAC, and this made an excellent match with the highly transparent and neutral Melco N1ZH/2. The Melco sounds really great using either mode, and the choice between the two would come down to taste. Personally, I preferred the tightness and clarity of Class 1, even if Class 2 let the music breath more freely.
Listening via UPnP Network
Starting with the N1A/2 (entry-level, remember?), connected to the C1 via its dedicated “player” Network output, I am amazed once again. Yessss, this was clearly more involving than with any of the aforementioned combinations. Now, I was hearing a full and juicy bass, smooth and rich mids, and the silkiest treble. But also the best focus and the widest and deepest soundstaging so far, along with seemingly endless decays.
Switching to the N1ZH/2, still via Network, the sound became tighter and more direct, with a more communicative midrange. At first, I felt that the N1A/2 was actually also quite seductive with its silky-smooth midrange, but after hearing the N1ZH/2 for a few tracks, there was no going back, because, in addition to being more communicative, it was now clear that the N1A/2 is timbrally not quite as convincing as its bigger brother. The N1ZH/2 quite simply sounded more like the real thing. Especially when playing music with acoustical instruments there was no doubt that the N1ZH/2 relayed timbres and textures extremely convincingly, and the more I listened to it, the more I noticed that I was just enjoying the music, rather than dissecting it into its audiophile parameters. Now, the music most certainly did wash over me, along with all the audiophile boxes being ticked.
Direct “Player” Network output
Still, I don’t feel that all my descriptions so far really do the Melco servers’ performance justice. There’s an aspect to their sound, when playing via the Network connection, that defies audiophile parameters. No matter which server is used, in the context of my current system at least, there’s always a kind of measured quality to USB. Via the Network output, however, both Melco servers sound freer and at the same time rhythmically more assured. Everything seems to be un-blurred, utterly dynamic and transparent but also completely enveloping and free-flowing and entirely fluid and relaxed, but only when the music requires this. The result is decidedly non-technical and can best be described as being utterly musical and wholly involving.
The value of the Melco’s direct Network output really should not be underestimated. This output is freed from all noise and only carries the audio packets and nothing else. The Melco’s can also play over UPnP via the existing Network, meaning that the signal passes all the cabling and switches of the existing Network. Purists might counter that this should not matter since audio over UPnP is not sensitive to jitter, and they are right in that assessment, but apparently, there is more to this. Melco explains that there can be huge amounts of noise on Network connections and that receiving devices can be really sensitive to this. Now whether or not this is all there is to it, or there are other factors that we take into consideration, I don’t really care, as I have conducted the comparisons and can confirm that there is indeed a very large difference in sound between playing direct via the dedicated “player” output and going via the existing Network. Used this way, let’s call it indirect, the server still sounds good, but definitely less spectacularly so, the entire presentation becoming decidedly washed-out, more blurry and less solid in the bass. Actually, after letting this sink in, I noticed that when playing indirect the sound starts resembling USB, meaning that a case really can be made for placing high importance on a dedicated, clean, Network environment.
Network Cables
Not only the server and DAC are important for the sound quality though. Believe it or not, but the Network cable between server and renderer/endpoint also plays a part in this. This statement might be especially tough to swallow since Melco has put great effort into creating a clean environment for the Direct Ethernet output, but still, I could hear clear differences from cable to cable. The differences that I heard between these ethernet cables are generally in the fields of tonality, spriteliness, and tempo, so the result can range from smooth and relaxed to tight and fast. I have not yet established a watertight logic for this, and so far I’ve only heard one Cat.7 cable but it seems that Cat.5 cables tend to sound generally clean (but perhaps comparatively a little thin and bleached in tonality) while Cat.6 cables tend to sound richer and more full-bodied. But again, this is not watertight. I’ve tried several Cat.6 cables and also within this group, there are differences.
Above: Melco C1A1 Cat.7 Ethernet cable with unbreakable locking system
However, I can be very clear about the Melco C1A1 Cat.7 Ethernet cable. Compared to the other, more mundane candidates that I had at hand, it sounded warmer and smoother, especially in the midrange, and you could say that it makes the music more forgiving. From memory, the AudioQuest Vodka (which is considerably more expensive) made for broadly similar changes to the sound, when I tested it as part of the CH Precision review. Personally, I prefer the sound to be as propulsive and articulate as it can be, and so my preference goes to another cable. Another listener may not feel the same way, and certainly, system synergy also plays a large role in this.
The Melco C1A1 is pricier than no-name cables, but certainly not priced extravagantly. It is manufactured very precisely, very flexible and easy to use and it makes for a pleasingly smooth and easy-going sound. Obviously, any network cable will work as it should, from Cat.5 to Cat.7 and even el-cheapo no-name products. So, if this experimentation sounds like too much trouble, then simply don’t worry about it and get good decent quality cables. The Melco servers will sound remarkable, also with standard Ethernet cables.
Conclusion
Even if it goes against popular belief, there really is a big difference in sound quality between NAS servers. Both Melco servers sound markedly better than any other NAS that I tried. What’s more, given a DAC with a Network input, even the entry-level Melco N1A/2 already sounds more natural than any of the USB server competition that I have at hand. The N1ZH/2, however, further improves on the N1A/2 significantly both when used via USB and via UPnP, so much so, in fact, that with immediate effect, the N1ZH/2 has become my current Music Server reference.
(N1ZH/2)
External Links
Hi, what happened to the Review of the Antipodes Ex? Were the results so disappointing? Is the sound Quality of the Ex similar to that of the DX 2? However, given its price tag of only 3k Euro the Ex is probably quite a good offer. Thanks, Oliver
The EX review is ready to be published, only pending final checks and pricing confirmation. Should be any day now! All will be explained in the review, it certainly does not disappoint:-)
Which ethernet cable do you prefer if I may ask? I now use Chord C-stream but haven’t compared it to anything else.
Funnily enough, I currently prefer the cable that came with the Antipodes EX which is an Electus Cat 6a UTP cable. This cable gives me the most accurate bass and most open and communicative mids while avoiding sounding too thin or too clean, as most Cat.5 cables do comparatively. The Electus cable does not, however, do any smoothing, meaning that since I currently don’t use a preamp, the treble can also appear a bit blocky and square, depending on the recording. Some other Ethernet cables do have some smoothing which can alleviate this effect, but at the cost of bass precision and, often, midrange clarity. But one Cat.6 cable can again sound different from another Cat.6 cable. For example, I also have a bunch of Valueline Cat.6 S/FTP cables costing only 8 euro, that sound smoother, but without sacrificing too much in clarity. In summary, I’d advise to just buy a bunch of different types and see for yourself.
Hi. I have the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC with PSU, Corus and 625-S2 connected to MG III. USB input of Aeris can handle 24/96 whereas BNC can handle 24/192. Which in your opinion will match better with Aeris DAC, either model of Melco using USB or Aurender N10 or Aurender N100C using either BNC or USB. I would greatly appreciate your valued advice.
Thanks.
Harshul
Personally, I don’t care much for hi-res, so I’ll leave that out of the equation. That said, there are differences between coax and USB that usually come down to the former sounding fuller and more sonorous (albeit less accurate) and the latter sounding tighter and more accurate (but less smooth). This brings me to Melco versus Aurender and this comes down to taste. The Melco’s sound most special when using direct Ethernet out but I understand that you can’t take advantage of that option now. When using USB, the Melco N1ZH is a lot better than its cheaper brother and I would say that with USB it sounds more accurate and transparent than the Aurender N10. Both are very refined and fluid but the Aurender is smoother, friendlier. This may be better for you, or worse. It’s very personal. For me, the Melco sounds purer and more real and the Aurender more like a slightly processed rendition, friendlier, but less pure. If I had the Aeris, which is already a sweet performer itself, I would personally definitely opt for the Melco, even if that means you must use USB. One final consideration, though, not related to SQ: Aurender has a superb app while the Melco is strictly UPnP. BubbleUPnP and Hi-Fi Cast are great UPnP apps for Android, but they still fall short when compared to Aurender’s app. Or Roon, for that matter. Decisions, decisions. In my case, I opted to just use both: Melco with UPnP over Direct Ethernet for best SQ and Roon on Antipodes EX for my daily Roon needs.
Hi, did you ever hadve the chance to listen to the Melco n1zh mk 1? Do you think the mk1 version can compete with your benchmark servers such as Aurender N10, Antipodes DX or EX or even Melco n1zh mk2?
Thanks, Oliver
Alas, I’ve not heard the MK1. While I have no doubt that the firmware and hardware changes between the MK1 and MK2 have indeed improved the sound of the latter, I suspect that the differences are not of the make or break kind. In other words, the MK1 will likely still be a competitive benchmark server, just like its MK2 successor. If you fancy going for a Melco based on my descriptions of the MK2 then I think you’ll also be happy with the earlier N1ZH model.
Hi Christiaan, if I were to pair a PS Audio Direct Stream with a Melco how do I connect via the dedicated “player” output? Forgive my ignorance as computer audio is all new to me, but is it a simple matter of connecting an ethernet cable between the two devices?
Hi Dwight, it should be that simple indeed. Just like the PS DS DAC, the Melco is UPnP compliant and is in essence a NAS that can work via a network as well as direct, via a standard UTP network cable connection. It should not be any more difficult than using any other NAS. In fact, it is probably easier. Any UPnP device has it in their DNA to be compatible with any other UPnP device. Using a controller (which can be an app on a tablet or computer) one UPnP device is assigned “server” or “source” (in your case the Melco) and the other the “endpoint” or “renderer” (in your case the PS Audio) and then the fun can start. This is, of course, assuming that you have the Network Bridge installed, otherwise the DS DAC cannot connect to the network.
Hi Christiaan,
Can you compare the SQ between Melco A1 and Antipodes DS (without Roon)? I plan to change my actual Mac Mini and I have found a good deal for both servers.
Thanks in advance,
Alex
I suppose you mean Melco N1A versus the Antipodes DS? Given those two options, I would opt for the Antipodes DS based on sound quality using USB. If you can use the direct Ethernet output into a compatible networked DAC, however, and can live without Roon, then the Melco would be my choice.
I have been experiencing spurious and brief white noise bursts, usually one channel only, not always the same channel. And the occasionally playback will just stop. The Transporter is plugged into the router, as is the Server that is running Squeeze. I feed the output of the Transporter into a NBS Universal II Preamp with the Universal II Monoblocks. I know the Transporter is the weak link in the system, but I had it so I thought I’d try it. Is there a less than $6k DAC that could make use of the dedicated LAN port?
The white noise might be in the files as incomplete or non-standard headers and it can also happen when changing from one sample rate to another. That it is on one channel only, however, seems strange to me. Still, assuming the files are ok then you might be able to solve this by increasing the buffer cache, if possible. The first DACs with a network port and UPnP functionality that spring to mind are the PS Audio PWD-II and the DirectStream DAC.
Hi Christiaan, I read the blog post where this server was tested via both USB output or the dedicated LAN output and I have a simple question for you. Do you think a Logitech Transporter could be connected to the Melco server via the dedicated LAN connection? I currently own a Transporter and it’s misbehaving a bit. I am looking at many different options including a Wolf Audio Systems Alpha 3 server. But this Melco server is far too interesting to not consider. Thank you for any help you might offer!
Hi Allan, the Melco adheres to standard UPnP protocol, same as any NAS. However, the Transporter will probably require Squeeze Server to be installed (it’s a Squeezebox after all) so you’d need to get that sorted, rather than the universal servers that one normally installs on the Melco. Whether this is possible I do not know. What I do know is that the Melco really deserves a more high-end endpoint than the Transporter. Don’t get me wrong – it is pretty good but not really high-end. You could also just get a USB DAC because the Melcos are whisper-quiet and can sit right next to the DAC. What is the misbehaving that you are getting BTW?
hello I currently have a n1a melco connected by usb to a dac mytek manhattan 2
Is there much difference between the n1a and the n1zh that is worth the purchase?
Thank you
Yes, absolutely. As you can read in the article, the difference is considerable, especially with USB. Contrary to a network connection, with USB I find the N1A to be not very remarkable. The N1ZH with USB, by comparison, is pretty much as good as it gets on many levels, although there will always be differences in character between servers. For instance, Antipodes EX sounds fuller and more sonorous, Aurender N10 is sweeter and gentler and AudioAanZee Reference Flow servers are smoother and richer. This remains a matter of system synergy and personal preference.
Hello, congrats for your reviews. I own a Bryston BDA3 and I am planning to add a digital player. What would you recommend between Melco N1AH60/2 and a Brysotn BDP3, as you tried both? I would not us a Nas but the internal HD drives with my files saved on, no Tidal or Qobuz.
Thank you and have a nice day!
Hi Carlo, well, that comes down to personal preference in terms of sound (Bryston bolder and more forceful, Melco more refined and airy) as well as the decision between using a UPnP app or Roon for control. The Melco is UPnP only and does not run Roon.
Hi I have a naim nd5xs can I use the Melco n1a as a upnp server and use the naim app
Melco servers run standard UPnP/DLNA software and if you like you can even install a different program than what’s there by default. Any UPnP app can work with any UPnP server and endpoint. According to the specs, the Naim also works with UPnP software and so it should be compatible.
Hi Christiaan, thanks for the interesting review. Can you connect the Melco via network output to the Aqua dac? Did you try it? Thanks!
The Formula xHD has an I2S input using an RJ45 “LAN” connector. However, this is not a LAN connection and the DAC is not a streaming endpoint. That will be the upcoming LinQ.
Good Morning,
Congratulations for such an excellent review.
I have a very specific question: what is the difference between playing using the dedicated Player output and using UPnp? I understand that both use the dedicated Player output, so what is this indirect connection you comment on?
What I understand:
Router connects to LAN, PLAYER connects to network player
Thank you very much and forgive my ignorance
David
No probs David, this is certainly not ignorant. In all cases the player uses UPnP. By indirect I mean running the playback signal via a network switch rather than directly from the dedicated player output to the endpoint.
Hi Christian. Thank you for the excellent review! I currently have a CH Precision C1 and am considering various options on how to connect it to my NAS and internet for streaming. The Melco N1ZH/2 seems to be a viable option. I like it as it is fuss-free and it’s also a dedicated storage for music files (as opposed to the QNAP NAS which stores all my other files as well). Just some questions:
– which would offer a better sound quality – USB-DAC or direct network “player” connection?
– how will the controls for music be done – through the Linn Kazoo app (to control the N1ZH/2 or the CH app?
– apart from the N1ZH/2 having its own storage for music files, what would be the other advantages of using it – does it do anything to clean the network signal (like an audiophile switch) when connected to the C1? Apologies for this question – am a little confused as to how these audiophile network devices work and what is it I need exactly.
Nevertheless, thank you for the very informative review!
At the time of review, the Melco N1ZH/2 represented the best I had heard. Alas, it did not support Roon natively (at this time, they have Roon support but only as a renderer so you’ll still need a NAS that holds your library or at the very least runs Roon) and so my quest continued. It led me to the Antipodes CX+EX and the K50 and ultimately to the Grimm Audio MU1.
If you like it fuss-free then an all-in-one server such as the Melco, Grimm, or Antipodes is ideal. The Melco in native UPnP mode has a performance that I think is close to the Grimm MU1’s and is controlled with any UPnP-compatible app such as indeed Kazoo, CH-Control, or Bubble UPnP. The Melco does indeed have a dedicated “player” network output that receives special attention and has an intentionally more narrow bandwidth.
If you use Roon, you can use very nearly any conceivable device but Roon comes at a cost. You should also know that Roon tends to sound different from UPnP and I noticed this with all servers so far, except for the MU1.
Between USB, Network, and AES or S/PDIF, it is a relative matter that ties in with the implementation of the interfaces on either end. I personally prefer network and AES over USB but YMMV. While the C1’s Ethernet interface is superb, I found that its performance can be topped by the Aqua LinQ and the Grimm MU1 and using a Jorma AES/EBU cable in terms of ultimate articulation and control.
Thank you, Christiaan. This is very insightful. Thank you also for all the hard work putting together these reviews and comparisons. They have been invaluable.
Hi Christiaan. For some reason, my CH app is not able to detect my music stored on my N1A. Have you encountered this before and if there is any setting I ought to be taking note of in the N1A? Thank you.
Hi Martin, the first thing I would try is to use another UPnP app to see if that does see your library on the N1A.
Hi Christiaan. Thank you. I managed to get things to work again. Enjoying the music now.
Thank you for the excellent and insightful review.
The bottom line of the review is a remarkable finding: that the Melcos are a breakthrough in sound quality when using the ethernet player output.
Question: given that the N1Z is approximately double the price than the N1A, if I’m using the ethernet output in both cases … is the difference is sound “bliss” sufficient to justify the near double price ? If both units were used via USB outputs the answer would clearly be yes, but the can the same be said if both are used by the ethernet player outputs ? your comments would be highly appreciated. Thanks, Hector
Hi Hector, Actually, the sonic differences between the two Melcos as stated in the review, were noted using the Ethernet outputs. Their USB outputs sound quite different and I did not prefer this option. The difference between the two servers is one of natural timbre and expression, and ultimately, realism, not so much resolution or other such audiophile traits. Is the dearer product worth double? Well, for me it is, as it is built much more solidly and also looks much nicer with its solid aluminum panels rather than bent steel, in addition to sounding better. But if your preferences veer predominantly to the free-flowing aspect of music reproduction, then even the entry-level product will impress.
Hi Christian – thanks for your reply – this has been very helpful. Final question: have you had the chance to test/listen the Melcos with the ethernet player output connected to a router, and the router connected to a network DAC ? (as opposed to a straight ethernet connection from Melco to DAC). Melco documentation shows possible connection via router but intuitively it would somehow deteriorate performance, since there is a router in the chain. Wonder if you had the chance to test this configuration – if it does not degrade performance it would be important to know.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays, Hector
Hi Hector, The N1ZH’s dedicated Ethernet output is meant to be connected directly to a network player, not to a router. The router connection is meant for controlling the device (for example on iPad via WiFi) and to retrieve streaming music sources or even external music libraries on the local network. You can, however, if you wanted to, stream to any player on your network via the regular router connection, but that will indeed lead to some degradation (the direct connection sounds gentler whereas detour connections via more switches then to attain more edge, but this may differ for any given situation). If this is what you intend to do then I would use a local switch near the system to which the server and endpoints are connected, and connect that switch to the main router.