Buying Advice Melco Vs Antipodes

vgmbpty

Member
Aug 16, 2021
19
9
10
57
São Paulo, Brasil
Seeking opinions and suggestions. I have the chance of buying an Antipodes Oladra or a Melco S10. Very hard work to get the money, would hate to make a mistake. I would really appreciate your advice.

For reference, I listen 100% digital Redbook and Qobuz, have a good network with fiber, audio switches in cascade, external power supplies and clocks. Except the server and the DDC, I buy everything used. Use the best interconnects i could afford. Dedicated electrical with Nordost conditioning. My current source is a Zenith MK3 + Audio GD DI20HE (DDC) going to Verity Monsalvat Pre/DAC, MBL N15 monoblock amps and MBL 116 speakers. I have a love/hate relation with Roon since I noticed it degraded sound quality. Now using Sense app. Open to use any reasonable software that gives me the best possible audio quality. If you read until here, thank you already!
 

Gladiator

Well-Known Member
Oct 8, 2015
42
5
213
Seeking opinions and suggestions. I have the chance of buying an Antipodes Oladra or a Melco S10. Very hard work to get the money, would hate to make a mistake. I would really appreciate your advice.

For reference, I listen 100% digital Redbook and Qobuz, have a good network with fiber, audio switches in cascade, external power supplies and clocks. Except the server and the DDC, I buy everything used. Use the best interconnects i could afford. Dedicated electrical with Nordost conditioning. My current source is a Zenith MK3 + Audio GD DI20HE (DDC) going to Verity Monsalvat Pre/DAC, MBL N15 monoblock amps and MBL 116 speakers. I have a love/hate relation with Roon since I noticed it degraded sound quality. Now using Sense app. Open to use any reasonable software that gives me the best possible audio quality. If you read until here, thank you already!
I have a Pink Faun modified Melco S100 powered by Farad power supplies. The Melco S10 is probably the same as the S100 but with a beefier power supply to match. Power Supplies make a difference. I have a Melco server in conjunction with the S100. You can see why, my vote would be for the Melco.
 
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kimurastanley

Well-Known Member
Mar 16, 2019
256
291
150
Singapore
I have listened both Melco S10 and S100 in my system. Local dealer here offers S10 head unit only without power supply.

With the same LPS, S10 delivers significant improvement over S100. Blacker background, more dynamic and more dense. In comparison S100 sounds ‘more digital’.
 

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td19

Well-Known Member
Sep 29, 2017
30
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The Oladra will give you the choice of Roon, Squeezebox Server, HQ Player, MPD, and even Spotify Connect - and combinations of these i.e. Roon + HQP, Squeeze + HQP, HQP standalone + Qobuz, as well of course as your own redbook library on SSD. Suggest you find an demo Oladra to check out.
 
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Gjo

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2021
268
183
50
I had a lot of problems with the Antipodes K50 I purchased. SSD drive(s) not recognized. Repeatedly. Even after two remote IT sessions with the manufacturer.

Then, problems recognizing a connected USB drive. At one point I was asked why I wanted to use a USB drive? Well, because it's a feature of the $14,000 machine, maybe?

Spent too much time troubleshooting the K50. Returned it.

Replaced it with a Rockna Wavedream NET. Have had zero problems with the Rockna.
 
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