DELA S5 Audiophile Dataswitch Marks Melco’s New Era

While the Dela S5's casework may seem familiar, the name on the badge might not - yet. Previously known as Melco, the Japanese brand celebrated its 50th birthday this year and, perhaps due to a midlife crisis, has refashioned itself as Dela.

That said, the Melco hallmarks appear to be retained, with the Dela S5 promising "precision architecture and professional-grade connectivity to deliver superb sound quality."

The S5 network switch is apparently "optimised for high-resolution music playback". It boasts Link Speed control on its fascia alongside robust SFP and Neutrik RJ45 options at the rear for ultimate flexibility and fidelity.

Developed entirely under the Dela brand whilst leveraging knowledge gained from creating the acclaimed Melco S100 and S1, the S5 is optimised for local and external streaming services, "combining advanced architecture with meticulous audio tuning."

Connectivity includes seven professional-grade Neutrik RJ45 ports and four SFP+ ports, supporting fibre connectivity via ADOT and direct Ethernet links via the Dela C1 cable. Furthermore, unused ports can be disabled to free up processing resources and further enhance sound quality, Dela says. 

At the heart of the S5 is the new Dela Super Clear Dynamic Power Supply. According to the manufacturer, this delivers stable, noise-free performance regardless of mains quality.

The user-selectable Link Speed feature allows you to fine-tune network performance from the front panel. Slower link speeds can improve sound quality for network players, while higher speeds suit servers and processes such as Roon. Each port's status is clearly indicated via colour-coded LEDs, and the entire front panel can be dimmed for distraction-free listening.

A USB 5V output provides power for accessories such as Wi-Fi adapters or ADOT fibre isolation units. Meanwhile, rear-panel indicators confirm network speed and status and can be switched off for optimal sound quality.

Alan Ainslie, Manager at UK distributor Audiophile Digital Music Masters (ADMM), told StereoNET:

It's amazing what can be achieved when rigorous engineering is applied to components that began life in the IT industry. With Dela's parent company, Buffalo Inc. of Tokyo, bringing its R&D power to audio, the S5 delivers genuine musical benefits — an enhancement for any streaming system where sound quality truly matters.

All of this is wrapped up in the S5's robust 77x440x353mm [HxWxD] casement featuring a 44cm brushed aluminium chassis with stainless-steel rear panel, CNC-machined corner cheeks, and isolation feet for mechanical stability to match that of the N1 and S1.

The Dela S5 Audiophile Dataswitch is available now through specialist hi-fi retailers worldwide with an SRP of £7,499 | €8,999 | US$9,999.

For more information visit Dela