Fosi Audio is positioning Merak as a desk-friendly CD box that does more than spin silver discs: it folds in a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC, a headphone output built around two TPA6120 op-amps, analog line and optical digital outputs, plus a 12 V trigger so it can wake companion Fosi gear. The transport side promises gapless playback, ESP electronic shock protection, four repeat/shuffle modes, and lid-open auto stop. For archiving, Fosi advertises one-touch CD ripping to a USB flash drive as 16-bit / 44.1 kHz WAV, alongside USB-A playback from sticks up to 128 GB. List price on the official Merak product page is USD 139.99 at this writing- bundles add accessories or an IM4 pairing. I have not listened to a loaner unit yet; this is a spec-and-features intro from Fosi’s listing.
Signal path & outputs
Fosi markets Merak as an all-in-one front end for CDs: spin a disc, listen on headphones, or feed an integrated amp, powered speakers, or an external DAC via line RCA or optical. The published line-out metrics on CD are aggressive for the price class on paper: about 124 dB A-weighted SNR, 0.0009% THD+N, and similar dynamic range, with noise floor quoted ≤ 3 µV A-weighted. The headphone tap is rated slightly lower on SNR/THD in Fosi’s table but still strong-sounding on the page.
Maximum quoted PCM for both CD and USB stick playback is 16-bit / 96 kHz on the product sheet. Red Book CDs are 44.1 kHz; treat the 96 kHz ceiling as the player’s stated digital headroom for decoding and USB files, not a promise that every pressed CD is “upsampled to 96 kHz” in a way that changes your library philosophy.
Transport, gapless & ESP
Fosi describes a precision mechanism and servo tuned for stable tracking and lower wear. Gapless is explicitly called out for live albums and classical continuity. ESP is specified as roughly 60 seconds of buffering to ride out bumps or light vibration- useful on a less-than-rigid shelf, though it is still a desktop mechanism, not a skip-proof portable jog wheel.
Playback modes from the panel or remote: play once, repeat one, repeat all, and shuffle. Opening the lid stops the disc to limit mechanical stress.
Ripping & USB playback
The headline convenience feature is ripping CDs to a USB drive without a computer in the chain- Fosi states 16-bit / 44.1 kHz WAV as the capture format. The same USB-A port accepts flash media for file playback; supported container/codecs on the product page include MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, APE, and WMA from the stick.
Firmware updates are described as loadable via USB stick through that port, which matters if Fosi tightens format support or transport behavior after launch.
Key specs (manufacturer)
Condensed from Fosi’s specification block for quick scanning:
- Inputs: CD; USB-A (flash drives up to 128 GB).
- Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone; LINE; OPT (TOSLINK); 12 V trigger.
- CD formats: CD-DA; CD-R/RW “partially readable” — Fosi recommends pressed discs for reliability.
- Data CD-R: FLAC, WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3 (per listing).
- SACD: only discs that expose a CD layer — no native SACD layer playback claimed.
- Remote: IR, up to about 7 m operating distance.
- Power: 5 V / 2 A DC (cable included: USB-A to USB-C).
- In the box: Merak, cable, remote, manual.
Stacking it in a system
The 12 V trigger is explicitly pitched alongside Fosi models such as ZD3 and ZA3 for power sequencing — if you already run a Fosi stack, Merak is meant to slide into the same ecosystem logic. If your chain centers on a separate streaming DAC, our intro to the LEAK TruStream is a different aesthetic and price band but illustrates how digital front ends and disc sources can split duties in one room.
For another retro format on the desk, the Gadhouse Miko cassette player sits in the same “fun hardware, modest spend” headspace — complementary mood, not a sonic match.
FAQ
Will Merak play my SACDs?
Only if the disc carries a standard CD layer. Fosi does not claim full SACD layer support.
Can I rip to FLAC?
Fosi’s copy specifies WAV for one-touch CD ripping. For FLAC archives, plan on a computer converter after transfer or a different workflow.
Is the power supply included?
The box includes a USB-A to USB-C lead; you still need a suitable 5 V / 2 A source (brick or port) that meets Fosi’s recommendation — confirm what Fosi bundles in your region on the product page at checkout.
Does optical output bypass the internal DAC?
Treat OPT as a digital feed for an external DAC when you want that path; Fosi’s block diagram intent is system flexibility, not a reviewer teardown of where the tap sits in silicon. If you need certainty for a specific mod or measurement chain, ask Fosi support before buying.
Note: Silver industrial finish and clear lid are visible in Fosi’s gallery; taste varies (see storefront reviews). Sound and transport noise are unreported here until a unit hits the bench.
