DELA N5 5TB High-End Digital Music Library

High-Performance Music Storage and Streaming

The DELA N5 Music Library is a high-performance digital music server created for listeners who want substantial storage capacity, refined network performance and direct USB DAC playback from one purpose-built Hi-Fi component.

Drawing on technology developed for DELA’s flagship N1, the N5 combines a selected 5TB hard drive, HS3 stable storage mount, linear transformer power supply, NDK ultra-low-jitter clock and full-width vibration-resistant chassis.

It can store and organise a high-resolution music collection, serve music to compatible network players, connect directly to a USB DAC and operate as a Roon Ready endpoint through its USB DAC connection.

Selected 5TB Music Storage

The DELA N5 incorporates a selected 5TB internal hard drive, providing generous capacity for extensive digital music collections.

The drive is secured within DELA’s HS3 Highly Stable Storage System, a specially engineered mounting structure designed to improve physical stability and control unwanted vibration.

Its internal storage can accommodate:

• High-resolution PCM albums
• DSD music collections
• Lossless CD-quality files
• Digitised CD libraries
• Purchased digital downloads
• Locally stored music for compatible Roon systems

The number of albums that can be stored will vary according to file format, resolution and metadata.

Note: DELA’s current page contains conflicting “HDD” and “SSD” wording. The N5-H50 model designation and DELA’s supporting product information identify the installed 5TB drive as an HDD.

Full-Width High-Rigidity Chassis

The N5 uses a substantial full-width enclosure designed to complement premium amplifiers, DACs and network players.

Its base chassis is manufactured from 3mm steel plate, while the front and side panels use the same thick aluminium construction found in DELA’s flagship N1.

This rigid enclosure provides a stable platform for the internal drive, power supply and digital circuitry. At approximately 10kg, the N5 has the substantial build expected from a dedicated high-end audio component.

Linear Transformer Power Supply

The power-supply section incorporates the transformer-based architecture originally developed for the DELA N10, paired with a newly developed capacitor bank.

This dedicated design provides stable power to the N5’s storage, network and digital audio circuitry while avoiding dependence on a conventional general-purpose computer power supply.

NDK Ultra-Low-Jitter Clock

A precision NDK ultra-low-jitter clock supports accurate timing throughout the N5’s digital architecture.

This carefully selected clock forms part of DELA’s audio-focused approach to digital data management and USB audio playback.

Dedicated Network Audio Connectivity

The N5 includes separate LAN and Player RJ45 ports, enabling it to connect to the home network while providing a dedicated link to a compatible network player.

Both RJ45 connections support data rates of 100/1000Mbps.

An additional SFP network port supports compatible optical network connections at speeds up to 1000Mbps. Optical transmission can provide electrical separation between suitably equipped network components.

High-Resolution USB DAC Playback

The DELA N5 can connect directly to a compatible USB DAC and operate as a dedicated digital music transport.

Supported USB playback includes:

• PCM from 16-bit to 32-bit
• PCM sample rates up to 384kHz
• DSD up to 11.3MHz
• Quad DSD playback
• FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF and AAC
• DSF and DFF
• Gapless PCM playback
• Gapless DSD playback
• Markerless DSD support
• Automatic downsampling for compatible DACs

Actual playback capability depends on the specifications of the connected USB DAC.

Roon Ready via USB DAC

When connected to a compatible USB DAC, the N5 supports Roon Ready operation.

This allows the N5 and attached DAC to function as an endpoint within a compatible Roon system, combining Roon’s browsing and library-management interface with DELA’s dedicated storage and USB audio architecture.

Twonky and MinimServer2

The N5 can operate as a UPnP media server using either:

• Twonky Media Server
• MinimServer2

This allows stored music to be accessed by compatible network players and control applications.

SongKong compatibility can also help enrich and organise library metadata, making it easier to explore music by artist, album, genre, composer and other information.

UPnP AV and OpenHome Support

Support for UPnP AV and OpenHome allows the N5 to integrate with a wide range of compatible network players and audio control applications.

When using a network player, playback is managed through a compatible application recommended for that device.

Computer-Free Operation

Essential N5 functions can be controlled directly through its front-panel display and controls.

This allows the user to manage key operations without keeping a computer connected or opening a separate app.

Direct Music Importing

Music files can be imported directly from:

• USB flash drives
• External USB hard drives
• Compatible USB CD drives

Connecting a supported optical drive, such as the DELA D100, allows CDs to be imported directly into the N5’s internal music library.

Automatic Music Downloads

The N5 can detect eligible digital music purchases made through a tablet or smartphone and automatically download them to its internal storage.

This helps maintain a central music collection without requiring every new album to be transferred manually from a computer.

Duplicate Track Management

The integrated media server includes a duplicate-elimination function that can be enabled or disabled.

When files share the same title, artist, size and file format, the server can display only one instance. This helps reduce duplicate entries while browsing the music library without necessarily deleting the underlying files.

Differential Backup and Restoration

The DELA N5 supports full and differential backups to compatible USB storage.

Differential backup copies newly added or changed content instead of repeatedly copying the entire collection. Backup dates can be checked through the front display to assist with the restoration process.

Supported USB storage file systems include NTFS, exFAT and FAT32, with available backup modes depending on the selected format.

DELA USB-DAC PLAYER App

When the N5 is connected directly to a USB DAC, playback can be controlled using the DELA USB-DAC PLAYER app for iPad.

The app supports:

• Music selection and playback
• UPnP AV and DLNA operation
• Compatible volume control in PCM fixed mode
• Login and music selection from Qobuz and TIDAL

The app is intended specifically for USB DAC systems. Compatible network-player control apps should be used when the N5 is operating as a server for a separate network player.

Made in Japan

The DELA N5 is manufactured in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Each unit is assembled by trained production specialists, reflecting DELA’s focus on precision construction and dedicated digital music components.

Key Features

• High-performance digital music library
• Selected 5TB internal hard drive
• HS3 Highly Stable Storage System
• Full-width 3mm steel base chassis
• Thick aluminium front and side panels
• Transformer-based linear power supply
• Newly developed capacitor bank
• NDK ultra-low-jitter clock
• Dedicated LAN and Player ports
• SFP port for compatible optical networking
• Roon Ready through USB DAC connection
• UPnP AV and OpenHome support
• Twonky and MinimServer2 media servers
• SongKong metadata compatibility
• PCM playback up to 32-bit/384kHz
• DSD playback up to 11.3MHz
• Computer-free front-panel operation
• Direct USB music importing
• CD importing with a compatible USB drive
• Automatic purchased-music downloads
• Duplicate-entry management
• Full and differential backup support
• Software update notifications
• Made in Japan

Technical Specifications