If you have any questions, please refer here: FAQs
Review Videos
$140 Gets You More Than You Think
Matt Coykendall
Finally, a Cheap CD Player that Makes Sense!
Forever Analog
Prezzi Umani per l'Hi-Fi
Riccardo Palombo
CDs sind zurück?! Macht der Merak sie wieder spannend?
andisolo
$140 Gets You More Than You Think
Matt Coykendall
Finally, a Cheap CD Player that Makes Sense!
Forever Analog
Prezzi Umani per l'Hi-Fi
Riccardo Palombo
CDs sind zurück?! Macht der Merak sie wieder spannend?
andisolo
Wake Your CD Collection Again
Fosi Audio Merak CD Player
Merak takes its name from Beta Ursae Majoris, a star in the constellation Ursa Major. It has often been used as a reference point for locating the North Star, symbolizing guidance and direction. Inspired by this meaning, we hope Merak becomes a point of reference in your listening journey—bringing more precise imaging and a more immersive experience.
Seamless System Integration
With optical and line outputs, it connects easily to DACs, amplifiers, or active speakers. The included remote control allows convenient input/output switching and track selection. A 12V Trigger output enables synchronized power with Fosi devices like ZD3 and ZA3.
Precision mechanism and servo system ensure accurate disc reading, stable tracking, and smooth playback with reduced disc wear.
Precision Mech & Servo System
Gapless Playback
Gapless playback eliminates track gaps, making it ideal for live recordings and symphonic music.
Built for Daily Use
Four Playback Modes
Easily switch between Play Once, Repeat One, Repeat All, and Shuffle using the front panel controls or the remote.
Flexible Playback Control
Lid-Open Auto Stop
Automatically stops playback when the lid is opened, preventing disc rotation and reducing mechanical stress during operation.
Playback Stops When Opened
ESP Anti-Skip
ESP minimizes playback interruptions from vibration, ensuring stable performance during movement or external disturbances.
Electronic Shock Protection
Plug and Play
Equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack delivering up to 210mW ×2 of output power. Simply plug in your headphones and enjoy your own private listening moment. Its compact design fits easily on a bedside table or beside the sofa, letting you fully relax and unwind with music.
Simple Setup, Instant Playback
Curated Audio Chipset
Built-in CS43131 DAC paired with 2 TPA6120 op-amps design, Merak supports up to PCM 16bit/96kHz audio. With a 124dB SNR and 0.0009% THD, it delivers a clean signal faithful to the original CD recording.
Greater Fidelity
CD Ripping
Merak features one-touch CD ripping, saving original CD audio as 16bit/44.1kHz WAV files to a USB drive without loss of quality. Equipped with a USB-A input, supporting USB drives up to 128GB for direct music playback.
USB Drive Playback
As Seen On
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“Team Fosi does clear, controlled, clean-as-a-whistle ‘hi-fi’ like a dream”
"Long story short, the Fosi V3 Mono Amp is one of the best power amplifiers I have ever reviewed to this day."
"It may not look like it, but the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro is a powerful amplifier in a small package. It may be barebones, but it sounds bigger than the price tag would have you expecting."
"You don’t need to spend thousands or even hundreds to gain entry into Audiophile Land. Fosi Audio’s DS2 2024 is proof of that!"
"What I have learned for sure, though, is that Fosi Audio goes about things the right way and is far more sincere than it is cynical in its efforts to part you from your hard-earned."
"The affordable Fosi Audio DS1 is our favorite headphone amp/DAC because it has the needed connections and power output to suit most headphones."
Product details
Description
Precision CD Transport: Optimized servo system ensures accurate disc reading, smooth playback, and reduced wear, supporting stable long-term performance and consistent audio output. All-in-One Audio Design: Combines CD player, DAC, and headphone amplifier in one unit, simplifying setup while maintaining low distortion and clear signal reproduction. CD Ripping & USB Playback: Supports CD ripping to USB and direct playback, enabling easy conversion to digital files and convenient access without additional devices. Flexible Output Connectivity: Multiple outputs support headphones, amplifiers, and active speakers, allowing seamless integration into desktop systems or larger audio setups. ESP Anti-Skip Protection: 60-second buffering reduces interruptions from vibration, maintaining stable playback and improving reliability in movement or less controlled environments.
The Fosi Audio Merak CD Player is a compact, desktop-style Hi-Fi device designed to blend traditional CD playback with modern digital features.
How to check USB drive format?
Windows: This PC → Manage → Disk Management → Check USB format Supported: ✔ FAT32 Unsupported: ✘ NTFS Recommendation: Most new USB drives are preformatted as FAT32.
Does playback stop when opening the CD lid?
Yes. Reason: Merak uses Hall sensor detection. Behavior: Opening the lid during playback immediately stops playback. Status: ✔ Normal design behavior
Does Merak meet environmental standards?
Yes. Compliance: ✔ ROHS 2.0 ✔ REACH
Does Merak support SACD?
Partial support. Supported: ✔ CD layer only Unsupported: ✘ SACD high-resolution layer
Why use a dedicated CD mechanism instead of a DVD mechanism to play CDs?
Dedicated CD mechanism is specifically optimized for audio playback, including a more precise clock system, a more stable reading structure, and an optimized digital signal path. Compared to a general-purpose DVD mechanism, it typically delivers clearer audio detail and a more stable soundstage performance.
Why is ESP anti-shock protection included in a desktop CD player?
Although ESP is more commonly used in portable devices, it is included for the following scenarios: 1. Users may use the device in a car, where vibrations can affect playback stability; 2. On a desktop, strong bass or high-energy music may still cause vibration that impacts disc reading stability.
OK..I actually ordered the Merak CD Player via the Chinese Fosi site and not Australian Amazon, so that I could jump the queue, and get it a bit earlier.
Fosi China GOOD! Australian freight forwarders BAD. Wow, looks like they were overworked and under-paid students...I was worried my Merak CD Player would never arrive - but it did weeks later and Fosi kindly gave me some credits for the lateness -GOOD Fosi customer service - love you guys!
Anyway to the review.
I checked with Fosi if the Merak CD Player optical out (using it as transport) was compatible with my Fosi Audio K5 Pro DAC, and of course it was.
Then I ran theFosi Audio K5 Pro into my 40+ year old Bose 1800 amp, powering my Krix Equinox Mk3 bookshelf speakers and played my best jazz original cd pressings.
Hours later, I switched out the optical connection, and used my new Fosi Audio 3.5 mm to Dual RCA cable between the Merak CD Player and the Bose 1800 amp instead. I could only discern a slight difference between the two different hook-ups. The K5 Pro uses a Cirrus Logic CS431xx with an OPTICAL INPUT Sampling Rate of up to 24bit/192 kHz where as the Merak CD Player's DAC is a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC Optical Output on the Merak which should have a 16bit / 96kHz sampling rate...So who knows.
I actually prefer the line out / line in to amp, and I love the simplicity, as well as sound.
The Merak CD Player remote control has all the functionality needed, and in my overpopulated remote control collection, is my new favourite.
I use a spare Samsung Mobile Phone USB-C 2 amp charger to power the Merak, and have no problems with this power solution.
To power-up my system, I turn the power amp (Bose1800) on with input turned down, use the remote to power on the Merak, after loading a CD, and as it only takes 2 seconds to spin up and load the CD, use that time to turn up the AMP volume...to suit.
Gapless playback, luscious sound and cheecky presence...Fosi LOVE is all around the sound.
AndrewT
J
Jesse A.
Rad little player!
Love it! It brings me back to when life was simpler and CD players were the only way to go! This one is super cool and comparable to high end offerings!
D
DP
Good not great
Issues with extended silence when skipping tracks (1 - 2 seconds), lid hits rear output cables and appears to be a design oversight.
Not really impressed.
T
Timothy
Looks great, feels great, sounds great
L
LewisT
Nice but too many shortcomings
Some annoyances with this CD player. There is no way to disable auto play when a CD is loaded. Another is the labelling on the front and back. Grey labels on a silver background is ridiculous. You can't read them. Also, the lid is too easy to open when a CD is playing. Need some resistance (magnetic?) to stop it opening so easily. And the two N/A buttons on the remote. You couldn't make a remote front panel with those two blocked off? I can't get the CD ripping to work. Nothing happens when I follow the instructions. There appears to be other functions with CD ripping that are not documented in the manual. What is the difference between RIP ALL and COPY ALL? The player does not have an auto off function. That'd be useful to have so that it turns off after a while of inactivity. There's an audible click sound through the speakers when you slide the volume to zero or skip tracks. No idea what firmware I'm running because it's not mentioned anywhere. Their firmware page has nothing but the PDF manual.
