Japanese networked-audio company, Melco has announced the second generation of its USB storage solution, the E100A, featuring an 8TB HDD for digital music storage.
The E100A is designed for use across a range of audio-related systems, adding USB digital music to platforms such as Aurender, Auralic, Lumin and computer digital music on a PC or MAC using J River or similar PC based players.
The E100A has been designed as a high-performance audio playback drive capable of extreme audio data rates, including multi-channel 32bit DXD 384kHz, to cater for servers other than Melco. A USB hub facility enables the unit to be daisy chained into a system, incorporating a USB ‘A’ socket on the rear to replicate the socket on the host.
The E100A can be used as a repository for rips, downloads or music production for access on connected devices, being recognised by all PC, MAC, and audio workstations as a USB connected storage device. The new generation aims to offer improved sound compared to PC based audio systems, offering enhanced HDD mounting, HDD drive power supplies and digital interface.
A new motherboard material is combined with a high-grade NDK clock and other key components including the HS-S2 High Stability Storage System, which holds the HDD drive securely whilst adding the required amount of damping for high performance.
Connectivity is via the USB 3.0 type B port for the host device such as PC, MAC, streamer or Melco Music Library on the rear panel. There is also a USB 3.0 type A port on the E100A to daisy chain the USB socket of the host, which has limited connectivity in the case of slim laptop.
The 2mm thick chassis is made from steel and is dampened by the absorptive material in the specially designed feet.
The E100A comes with a two-year warranty and telephone support for the best way to move music correctly.
Alan Ainslie, general manager of UK Distributor ADMM, said: “The E100A offers the benefit of Melco’s world-leading music storage expertise to those that access and manage their music via other systems.
“For the first time, non-Melco digital library users can benefit from the brand’s digital music heritage regardless of how they access the content.”