Fosi Audio Merak CD Player

Rediscover Your CD Collection

The Fosi Audio Merak brings physical CD playback back into the modern Hi-Fi system with a remarkably compact design and an impressive range of digital and analog features.

More than just a CD transport, Merak combines a precision CD mechanism, high-performance DAC and dedicated headphone amplifier in a single compact unit. It can play your favorite CDs, reproduce music files directly from a USB flash drive, and even rip CDs to digital files without requiring a computer.

With optical, line-level and headphone outputs, Merak can work as the heart of a compact desktop system or integrate seamlessly into a full-size Hi-Fi setup.

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A Modern CD Player for the Digital Age

CDs remain one of the simplest ways to enjoy high-quality physical music. Merak preserves that experience while adding the convenience expected from a modern digital audio device.

Simply insert your CD, press play, and enjoy your music through an amplifier, active speaker system or headphones.

Its compact desktop form factor makes Merak particularly suitable for modern minimalist Hi-Fi systems where a conventional full-size CD player may be unnecessarily large.

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Precision CD Playback

At the heart of Merak is a dedicated CD mechanism and optimized servo system designed specifically for reliable audio disc playback.

The precision transport is engineered for accurate disc reading and stable operation, helping maintain consistent playback while reducing the possibility of reading errors.

Merak supports standard CDDA discs as well as CD-R and CD-RW media, although original pressed CDs are recommended for the most reliable compatibility.

It also supports SACDs when they contain a standard CD layer. The high-resolution SACD layer itself is not supported.

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Smooth, Gapless Playback

Music isn’t always meant to stop between tracks.

Live albums, classical recordings, concept albums and continuous mixes often rely on seamless transitions from one track to another. Merak is designed to provide smooth playback without unnecessary interruptions between tracks, helping preserve the original flow of the recording.

Whether you’re listening to a live concert or an album designed as one continuous musical experience, Merak keeps the music moving naturally.

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ESP Anti-Skip Protection

Merak incorporates Electronic Skip Protection (ESP) with approximately 60 seconds of buffering to help protect playback from vibration and mechanical disturbances.

Although ESP is traditionally associated with portable CD players, it can also be useful in desktop environments. Strong bass, vibration from speakers or accidental movement can potentially affect disc reading.

The additional buffering helps maintain stable playback and reduce interruptions.

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Built-In High-Performance DAC

Merak isn’t simply a transport.

Its digital audio architecture combines the SC6137D audio processing platform with the highly regarded Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC, allowing the player to perform digital-to-analog conversion internally.

The result is a clean, low-distortion analog signal that can be sent directly to an amplifier or active speaker system.

High-Performance Analog Output

Merak’s line output delivers:

• ≥2 Vrms output level
• 124 dB SNR
• 0.0009% THD+N
• 124 dB dynamic range
• ≤3 µV noise floor

These specifications make Merak suitable not only for casual CD listening, but also for serious Hi-Fi systems where a clean source component matters.

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Dedicated Headphone Amplifier

Want to listen privately?

Merak incorporates a TPA6120 headphone amplifier and provides a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone output.

It is designed to work with headphones ranging from 16Ω to 300Ω, making it suitable for a wide variety of headphones.

The headphone output delivers up to:

210 mW + 210 mW @ 32Ω

with:

• 121 dB SNR
• 0.002% THD+N
• 121 dB dynamic range
• ≤3 µV noise floor

This means you can use Merak as a complete personal CD listening system without adding a separate headphone amplifier.

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Rip Your CDs to USB

Your CD collection doesn’t have to remain on physical discs.

Merak can rip music from CDs directly to a USB flash drive, allowing you to create digital copies of your favorite recordings without connecting the player to a computer.

Simply connect a compatible USB flash drive and use the player’s ripping function to transfer tracks to digital files.

This is particularly useful for preserving valuable or hard-to-replace CDs and creating a convenient digital music library.

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Play Music Directly from USB

Merak can also work as a USB media player.

Connect a compatible USB flash drive and play your digital music collection directly through the player.

Supported formats include:

• MP3
• WAV
• FLAC
• AAC
• APE
• WMA

USB playback supports up to PCM 16-bit / 96 kHz.

For best compatibility, USB drives should be formatted as FAT32.

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Multiple Ways to Connect

Merak is designed to fit into different types of audio systems.

LINE Output

Connect Merak directly to an integrated amplifier, preamplifier, power amplifier or active speaker system using its analog line output.

Optical Output

If you prefer to use an external DAC, connect Merak to your DAC or digital amplifier through the optical output.

This allows the Merak to function as a dedicated CD transport while leaving digital-to-analog conversion to your preferred external DAC.

Headphone Output

Connect your headphones directly to Merak and enjoy your CD collection without an amplifier.

12V Trigger

The integrated 12V trigger output allows Merak to work with compatible equipment for synchronized system control.

For example, it can be integrated with compatible Fosi Audio components such as the ZD3 and ZA3, allowing a more seamless multi-component Hi-Fi setup.

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One Compact Source, Multiple Systems

Merak can be used in several different ways.

Compact Hi-Fi System

Merak → Integrated Amplifier → Passive Speakers

A simple and traditional CD-based Hi-Fi system.

Active Speaker System

Merak → Active Speakers

Connect the line output directly to powered speakers for a compact setup.

External DAC System

Merak → Optical → External DAC → Amplifier

Use Merak purely as a CD transport and let your preferred external DAC handle digital-to-analog conversion.

Headphone System

Merak → Headphones

No separate amplifier is required for many headphone setups.

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Easy Operation with Wireless Remote

Merak comes with an IR remote control that gives you convenient access to playback and system functions from a distance.

The remote supports an operating range of up to 7 meters, making it easy to control your music without reaching for the player.

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Compact Desktop Design

Merak is designed around a compact desktop form factor rather than the large chassis traditionally associated with CD players.

Its minimalist appearance makes it easy to incorporate into modern Hi-Fi systems, desktop audio setups and small listening spaces.

The top-loading CD mechanism also gives the player a distinctive physical interaction with your music collection while keeping the overall design compact.

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Firmware Upgrade Support

Merak isn’t limited to the software it ships with.

Firmware can be updated through the USB-A port using a USB flash drive, allowing the player to receive supported firmware improvements without requiring a computer connection.

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Key Features

Precision CD Transport

Dedicated CD playback architecture with an optimized servo system for accurate and stable disc reading.

Built-In CS43131 DAC

High-performance digital-to-analog conversion for clean and detailed analog output.

Dedicated Headphone Amplifier

TPA6120-based headphone amplification supporting headphones from 16Ω to 300Ω.

CD Ripping to USB

Convert tracks from your CDs into digital files using a USB flash drive.

USB Music Playback

Play MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, APE and WMA files directly from USB.

60-Second ESP Buffer

Electronic Skip Protection helps maintain playback stability in the presence of vibration.

Optical Digital Output

Connect Merak to an external DAC or digital audio system.

Analog Line Output

Connect directly to an amplifier, preamp or active speakers.

12V Trigger

Synchronize compatible equipment for a cleaner and more convenient system.

IR Remote Control

Control playback and system functions from up to approximately 7 meters away.

Compact Hi-Fi Form Factor

Designed for desktop systems, compact Hi-Fi setups and space-conscious listening environments.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Fosi Audio Merak
Product Type	CD Player / DAC / Headphone Amplifier
Audio Processing Chip	SC6137D
DAC	Cirrus Logic CS43131
Headphone Amplifier	TPA6120
CD Sampling	PCM 16-bit / 96 kHz
USB Sampling	PCM 16-bit / 96 kHz
Headphone Impedance	16–300Ω
Inputs	CD, USB-A
Outputs	3.5mm Headphone, LINE, Optical, 12V Trigger
CD Formats	CDDA, CD-R, CD-RW*
CD-R Audio Formats	FLAC, WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3
USB Audio Formats	MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, APE, WMA
SACD	CD layer only
Headphone Output	≥210 mW + 210 mW @ 32Ω
Headphone SNR	121 dB (A-weighted)
Headphone THD+N	0.002% (A-weighted)
Headphone Dynamic Range	121 dB
Headphone Noise Floor	≤3 µV
Line Output Level	≥2 Vrms
Line SNR	124 dB (A-weighted)
Line THD+N	0.0009% (A-weighted)
Line Dynamic Range	124 dB
Line Noise Floor	≤3 µV
ESP Buffer	Approx. 60 seconds
Remote Range	Up to 7 meters
Power Input	DC 5V / 2A
Firmware Update	USB flash drive
USB File System	FAT32 recommended

* CD-R/CD-RW compatibility may vary; original pressed CDs are recommended by Fosi Audio.

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What’s in the Box?

• Fosi Audio Merak CD Player
• USB-A to USB-C Cable
• IR Remote Control
• User Manual

Note: The product specification lists the required power input as DC 5V / 2A. A power adapter is not listed among the standard in-box accessories.

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Why Choose the Fosi Audio Merak?

The Merak is designed for listeners who want the experience of physical CD playback without returning to the size and complexity of traditional Hi-Fi CD systems.

It combines a precision CD transport, high-quality DAC, headphone amplifier, USB music playback, CD ripping, optical output, analog line output and 12V trigger control in one compact unit.

Whether you have hundreds of CDs already sitting on a shelf or you’re rediscovering physical music for the first time, Merak gives your collection a modern way back into your Hi-Fi system.

Your CDs. Your Music. Your Way.

Fosi Audio Merak — compact CD playback with modern Hi-Fi flexibility.