Melco S1 Network Switch

The S1 is Melco’s flagship network switch, it shares the same style casework as the ranging topping player the N1.

Featuring 11 connections (4 SFP and 7 Ethernet) the S1 is the pinnacle of Melco’s knowledge and innovation.

I first saw the S1 at the Munich High End Show in May 2024, it wasn’t on display in the room, but was behind the scenes for dealers and distributors to view.

As with the N1 the build quality of the S1 is superb, it really does the part and I can imagine the S1 and N1 being a popular combination, that said the S1 clearly has  much wider applications, anyone who streams music and wishes to do at the highest possible standard the S1 will have relevance.

The mainboard in the S1 is bespoke and unique to Melco, it has several unique features onboard to ensure it delivers the best performance, it also features a sizeable, over-rated power supply, superior to the power supply that comes with the 2 box S10 switch.

• Link Speed Selector
  Uniquely, the Melco S1 gives the user capability to fine tune each data port for Link Speed directly from the front panel in real time. The front panel buttons mirror the back panel layout with each port having a single button to select Link Speed which is confirmed by colour coded feedback of the button illumination. In this way the user can configure the status of each port for the environment and hardware that it connects to. Additionally any unused port can be selected to be OFF.
• Rear panel link / Act LEDs can be disabled by the button on the rear panel.
• External clock input
• Professional grade Neutrik RJ45 connectors assure reliable connectivity and internal electronics is built around dedicated audio-optimized technology with high grade internal NDK clock, and low noise linear power supply with condenser bank as used in the Melco N1 Music Library.

In the time we have had the S1 on demonstration it have proven itself to be a very strong performer.

The S100/2 is a great switch and it has been very popular, a great addition to many systems, it performance is further enhanced with the addition of both a power supply and also the ADOT fibre kit. The S100/2 is priced at £2100. The S10 is the next model up in the range, this is a 2 box switch, the main box is an improved version of the S100, but the big impact here is the power supply, it is dramatically better than the S100/2, even when you have a Plixir PSU attached to it (both Elite and Statement). Priced at £4999 the S10 is a marked step up in performance.

Whenever a customer has compared S100 to S10 side by side to date there has only ever been one outcome, the S10 real does stand head and shoulders above the S100.

Then we move to the S1, the jump from S10 to S1 really took me by surprise when I fit heard them together, the jump is significantly larger than the jump between S100 and S10. Improved dynamics, more detail, clarity and openness with more extended bass and improved textures. It is quieter as well and overall a calmer more expressive sound. The difference in a good system is not subtle, it is like flicking a switch.

Obviously at £12499 it is a big step financially and many customers will simply never entertain adding an S1 due its price but if you have a suitable system and the means this is a really strong product.

Used with an RI-101 mk2 with its onboard streaming DAC using Qobuz controlled via J-Play the addition of the S1 is sizeable, it takes what is a very strong product an elevates it to a completely new level.

On demonstration now.