Lynn reviews the Fosi Audio Merak, an affordable, compact desktop CD player with line-out, optical, and a 210 mW-rated 3.5mm headphone output. It is currently priced at $139.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank Fosi Audio for their support.
You can click here to learn more about Fosi Audio products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read here.
Following the latest resurgence in small CD players, which followed the vinyl renaissance, Fosi Audio has jumped into the fray with the $139.99 Merak.
Marketed as a guide for the current generation of CD players, the Merak’s play on its name helps make that mark in the semi-portable CD category.
Named after the guide to the North Star Beta Ursae Majoris, the Merak’s reference point becomes obvious.
Packed full of features from gapless playback to output options that match many top-end CD players, the Merak helps fill a niche for not only potential new CD player owners, but also those of us who never got rid of our main system players.
When I reviewed the Fosi Audio BT20A MAX, I was impressed by its performance-to-price ratio and its ability to fit seamlessly into many systems without occupying much space.
The Fosi Audio Merak is cut from the same cloth, since it can fill many roles within one’s systems and do so with ease within each. Additionally, it can serve as a standalone CD player for use with headphones, further enhancing its versatility.
Versatility seems to be the optimum word of choice for me in many reviews of late, and the Merak is seemingly headed down that same road.
Features
Equipped with up to 210mW x2 via a 3.5mm headphone port, the Fosi Audio Merak supports gapless playback, which, to me, is a more important feature. A CD player I just reviewed does not have gapless playback, which, to me, is a deal-breaker.
The ESP anti-shock switch provides 60 seconds of buffering should you choose to make the Merak “portable” in your vehicle.
The SC6137D + CS43131 + TPA6120 chipset and amplification module make perfect sense at this price point, providing more than competent playback abilities.
The top-loading player features auto-play and auto-stop when closed or opened. This is a very nice feature to have. One only needs to worry about the volume in such situations, especially when switching outputs.
In optical or line-out mode, the Merak shoots the volume all the way up, relying upon the listening option for control. While using the Edifier M90s, I found that out the hard way.
The only options lacking are I2S or HDMI connections for SACDs, but many potential buyers will not have those in their libraries. And truthfully, I have very few myself.
CD ripping is included, letting you archive discs directly to a USB flash drive in WAV format via one-touch ripping.
With Bluetooth, line-out (3.5mm), and optical, the Merak supports CD, CD-R, and CD-RW. CD-R playback supports FLAC, WA, WMA, AAC, and MP3. USB playback is supported through the USB-A port (up to 128GB), which also works for firmware updates.
A 12V trigger output is included for use in two-channel systems that support such an option, making the Merak operational through the main system remote for powering on.
Throw in that the Merak supports headphones from 16Ω–3000Ω, and you have quite the versatile little device.
Design
The top-loading Fosi Audio Merak puts out a slightly larger footprint than the BT20A MAX amplifier I tested, which hindered stacking a bit. But if you have a dedicated shelving system (or side-by-side), that should be no bother.
The slim-line design of the Merak looks modern and mid-century at the same time. The OLED display is only visible when used on a desktop, though.
Equal numbers of buttons lie on each side of the display for on/off, output/layering, play/pause, REW, FF, and REC/stop for CD ripping. The 3.5mm single-ended headphone port lies on the far right.
An orange slider for volume is on the right-hand side, which is defeated when used in line-out or optical. That control is only used for headphone volume.
The rear is neatly laid out with the ESP switch (which may never get used…), LO, USB-A (for ripping and firmware updates), optical, 12V Trigger Output, and the USB-C 5V (2A) power port. Efficiency is the name for both front and back panels.
To me, though, the two highlights are the auto-play/stop when the lid is lifted and gapless playback.
I will add that the CD tray has a divet for removing discs, but it is oriented towards right-handed people, with that divet where you would naturally put your right thumb when removing a disc. As a leftie, I adjusted.
The slim design takes up little space, but know that with top-loading, you do need adequate access to the drive for usage. But the Merak looks so good, you may want to highlight it within your system(s).
I/O
The Fosi Audio Merak has optical, line-out, and a 3.5mm AUX headphone output. The latter can also be used to feed into a device with a 3.5mm single-ended input besides headphones.
The line-out bypasses the internal DAC, allowing external devices such as powered speakers to be utilized.
I used the FiiO SP5 in this manner with great success. For such usage, I would indeed recommend the LO option. I also connected the LO option to the RCA input on the Fosi Audio BT20A MAX for use with traditional speakers
The optical connection can be used with powered speakers having an optical input, such as the recently reviewed Edifier M90. The internal DAC is bypassed. This quickly became my favored pairing.
Controls
The layout of buttons on the front is made for desktop use due to their smaller size. The lettering is somewhat hard to read, with no backlighting, either. The buttons are equal in size, so some memorization is needed. Or simply use the remote.
A nice touch is the orange slider volume control on the side for use with headphones. You can carefully use it one-handed, too. Truth be told, I used the remote for more than 95% of the time.
Remote
The full-function remote is what most will use all of the time. I did, except for checking the button functionality.
When used in conjunction with the 12V trigger on the back, the Merak remote can function like a system remote when hooked to your more traditional two-channel options. One remote for on/off and volume.
Another nice feature is the “M” button sitting directly in the middle. This controls any of the four playback options: play, repeat single track, repeat disc, or randomize the tracks.
Yes, most CD players of old had this, but for an affordable current option, this opens up a world of playback usability to the listeners.
The volume can even be controlled when using headphones in the 3.5mm single-ended port on the front of the Merak.
The remote also means you do not need to squint to decipher the small lettering below the buttons. Simply change the options using the remote.
Packaging & Accessories
The Fosi Audio Merak comes in a well-protected, sleeved white box. Medium-density foam inserts protect the Merak and accessories, complete with a foam top piece. The box is larger than one might expect, but the increased protection is worth it to me.
The instruction manual is thorough, including a full page on the remote and another for playback options. Batteries for the remote are not included.
Included cables are limited to a USB-A-to-USB-C, with no optical or 3.5mm cable included.
Sound Impressions
The Fosi Audio Merak was put through its paces using the recently reviewed Edifier M90 powered speakers, along with the FiiO SP5.
In addition, the Fosi Audio BT20A MAX was used paired to the KEF Q150 through the line-out to dual RCA. Headphones used were the Grell OAE2 and the Sony MDR-Z7 1st generation.
Summary
The Merak comes across as mature and natural without becoming boring or sterile. The clean, clear, crisp sound signature emanating from the Merak makes for a pitch-black background listening experience without the sterility often associated with CD players.
Instead, the slight warming of sound adds to the richness that comes about naturally with a slight lean towards organic bloom. Bloom as in full-note quality that does not become too thick or full and doesn’t go the other way either.
The smooth character of the signature goes hand-in-hand with the detail retrieval CD players are known for. The clarity of the song comes across as succinct, distinct, and rich without a hint of analytical quality.
That said, there is less deep-reaching bass than I would prefer, and a bit more extension up top would be appreciated. Mind you, the top is not rolled off but rather smooths out to prevent any potential peakiness.
The midrange sits a smidge forward, but without becoming shouty or dominant, making for a thoroughly musical tendency that lends a transitional quality to both ends.
The soundstage is typical of a CD player of this caliber, which is neither too grandiose nor minimalistic. The depth does suffer a bit, but with good width and height, this can be somewhat forgiven.
Timbre
The Fosi Audio Merak promotes the warmth mentioned above while providing a cohesive signature across the board.
This reminisces of an analytical quality more akin to albums, but with better detail retrieval. Instead of rumbles and clicks (which I do like on my vinyl renderings), the quiet background adds to the depth missing from the overall soundstage.
While not perfect, the level of clarity is very good, transcending its level as a solid reminder of the qualities CD players bring to the musical sounds in which we listen.
Using headphones that promote a deeper reach helps add what might be missing in the low-end from the Merak. This also adds to the quality of timbre offered, making for a thoroughly musical affair.
The natural tendency of the Merak comes about due to the spatial awareness across the soundstage width. With that ample room to stretch in width, the note quality is not lost, promoting very good levels of detail and note weight.
This helps keep the musicality factor high while keeping the typical CD analytical response low. Yes, there are times for analytical response, but this is not one of those times.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage width mentioned above helps to give note weight and girth, without sacrificing quality. There is no bloated feeling, either. Instead, you get a full-sounding musicalness that comes across with naturalness and “typical” levels of CD-clarity.
The musical nature of which is mentioned presents a lively, vibrant tonality that never became thin or grating. Instead, the vibrancy is given room to spread across not only the width, but spatially in all three dimensions, suffering only a bit in depth.
The richness of sound comes across with precision in note weight, having a quality that presents detail retrieval without losing personality. Those dynamics of note help to present a full 3D-effect while staying lively without losing the natural richness of overall tone.
Changing the output option does alter the sound quality a bit, but this is to be expected. When using optical through the Edifier M90 powered speakers, I came away amazed at the synergy of the pair, and this quickly became my favorite option.
In this manner, the Merak dynamics presented the whole package. One in which you could easily live.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
