On this article, we evaluate the Fosi Audio Merak, a compact desktop CD participant presently promoting for $169.99 USD.
Disclaimer: the Fosi Audio Merak was despatched to us freed from cost by Fosi Audio, in trade for our sincere opinion.
Fosi Audio
Based in 2017, Fosi Audio has carved out a formidable status among the many new wave of affordable-yet-excellent audio manufacturers, sharing the scene with names like WiiM, SMSL, and even FiiO. Their motto? To ship easy, well-engineered audiophile gear at costs that don’t require a second mortgage – or “Chi-fi,” in the event you choose the shorthand.
A lot in order that, since their launch, Fosi identify grew to become a pure alternative for audiophiles searching bang-for-buck units. From energy amps just like the V3 Mono (love this one), to DACs such because the Q6 and the formidable K7, and even headphones with the brand new Fosi i5, the model has constantly delivered one stable launch, after one other. Living proof: my very own evaluate of the ZH3, a pleasant desktop DAC/Amp, that I referred to as “precisely what an all-in-one desktop answer ought to be”.
However, this time, we’re going again… to the longer term. Why do you ask? As a result of at the moment, we gained’t be reviewing a DAC, or a DAP, however a compact CD participant: the Fosi Merak. A compact, desktop CD participant – named after Beta Ursae Majoris – designed as a easy, no-frills strategy to rediscover your disc assortment, with the standard Fosi contact.
One other banger from the model? Time to search out out! We additionally simply reviewed the Shanling EC Zero T disc participant, you’ll find that evaluate right here.
Fosi Audio Merak
Design
Compact and crowd pleasing, the Fosi Audio Merak instantly stands out from the remainder of the model’s catalog, but nonetheless feels unmistakably Fosi from a single look.
A small, rectangular field – barely wider than the ZH3 – constructed from brushed aluminum panels with that now acquainted industrial end the model has been perfecting over time. However the true star right here is the clear lid sitting on high, a big, rounded window that permits you to see the disc spinning throughout playback. Assume classic turntable vibes, however in a a lot smaller bundle. A alternative that I discovered not solely aesthetically pleasing, but additionally surprisingly satisfying to have a look at, drawing me again to the time the place I owned my very own AIWA CD station, with the identical clear lid – albeit a bit cheaper in time period of construct.
After which, there’s the orange quantity slider. Sitting flush on the proper aspect of the participant, that little strip of colour instantly catches the attention and provides the Merak a persona of its personal – a design signature that units the participant other than the extra medical look of the FiiO DM13BT, which opted for bodily buttons as a substitute. A pleasant contact that actually units the temper!
That mentioned, one factor price noting: the Merak comes with no locking mechanism. The lid simply sits there, held by its personal weight. Not an issue on a desk, clearly – but it surely does verify that that is, by design, a sedentary machine. No motor, no spring, no button; you merely elevate it by hand and drop your disc onto the spindle. A small element that some may discover underwhelming in comparison with spring-loaded or motorized mechanisms, however in follow, the entire thing felt utterly pure after a few makes use of.
On that good observe, let’s verify the construct.
Construct High quality
As typical with the model, construct high quality was completely flawless.
Strong anodized, brushed aluminium panels; clicky playback buttons; a easy however simple to learn OLED display; and a quantity slider harboring the long-lasting Fosi orange, sitting flush on the proper aspect of the participant. Positive, a potentiometer might do the identical job, would it not look as cool? I’m don’t suppose so.
Identical goes for the entire ports. Tightly built-in into the principle physique, I discovered no hole nor any undesirable house between the port and the principle physique, every one among them showing completely flushed, regardless of the angle I selected to look the Merak at.
As for the display, I used to be stunned to search out out that Fosi selected an OLED one – just like the FiiO DM13 – as a substitute of classical LCD digits normally discovered on entry-level participant like this one (suppose Tangent CD III). A pleasant function that got here useful after I tried to tear just a few CD onto my USB key.
On that good observe, let’s verify the structure.
Fosi Audio Merak Sound
For the aim of this evaluate, I used the FiiO FT1 Professional, the FiiO JT7, the Meze 99 Classics V2, the Shanling HW600, and my good outdated Audeze LCD-X. The FiiO SP5 desktop audio system had been additionally added within the loop, as was the Fosi ZH3 to strive the optical output
Recordsdata had been performed from – nicely, CDs! Precise compact discs, like within the outdated days. The take a look at playlist included Modjo’s self-titled album, just a few Earth Wind & Fireplace classics, Paolo Nutini Sunny aspect up, and that Daft Punk Homework CD I purchased again in 1997.
Some tracks will probably be highlighted, simply so you may strive them at residence too!
Total Signature
So, how does the Merak truly carry out? Unsurprisingly nicely.
Sure, unsurprisingly, as a result of by now, you must know that Fosi hardly ever disappoints on this division – the ZH3, the K7, the V3 Mono Amp all delivered stable performances at their respective worth factors – and the Merak isn’t any exception. What did catch me off guard although was the general character: much less aggressive and extra refined than I anticipated, with a pure heat that suited the CD format significantly nicely.
Paired with the FiiO FT1 Professional in single-ended, the very first thing I seen was how nicely the Merak dealt with timbres. On Modjo’s self-titled album – an early 2000s French home basic that I hadn’t listened to in years – each instrument felt genuine and well-placed. The synths had physique, the vocals carried that analog heat I remembered from again within the day, and the entire thing sounded cohesive in a means that made me wish to take heed to all the disc. And that’s precisely what I did.
Channel separation? Surprisingly good, each on IEMs and full-size headphones. Paired with the FT1 Professional, the stereo picture opened up properly, every instrument occupying its personal house with out bleeding into the subsequent. However the very best outcomes got here on planars, the place the Merak’s clear sign path actually confirmed its potential – the JT7 specifically responded superbly, delivering a large and well-defined soundstage that I wasn’t fairly anticipating from a $170 CD participant.
Now, in comparison with the FiiO DM13BT – the obvious competitor at this worth – issues acquired attention-grabbing. The Merak supplied a barely wider spatial presentation, with devices feeling extra naturally unfold throughout the stereo discipline. However, and that is price noting, the DM13BT nonetheless had the sting when it comes to uncooked punch at larger volumes. The place the FiiO pushed more durable and delivered extra vitality within the low finish, the Merak opted for a extra managed, polished strategy. Totally different priorities, completely different strengths. Not higher, not worse – simply completely different.
On the speaker aspect, the road output feeding my FiiO SP5 (with the 12V set off, so each powered on concurrently) delivered a consequence that genuinely caught me off guard. Bass response improved noticeably, the devoted line output feeding the audio system a fuller, extra authoritative low finish than the headphone jack might handle by itself. Related by way of the set off, the entire setup felt like a correct mini hi-fi system – compact, easy, and sonically means above what the value tag instructed. I appreciated it!
Talking of which, the optical output labored precisely as marketed: a pure digital stream, handed off to the Fosi ZH3 for conversion. Nothing to report right here, which is the very best factor you may say a couple of digital transport. For individuals who already personal a superior DAC, that is the best way to go – the Merak turns into a easy, dependable CD transport, and the ZH3 handles the remaining.
Now, energy. The Merak is ample however not beneficiant, and that’s one thing I should be upfront about. With the FiiO JT7 and the Meze 99 Classics, the participant delivered greater than sufficient juice, even at reasonable volumes. However paired with the LCD-X – a notoriously hungry planar – issues fell brief at larger ranges, the bass dropping definition and the general presentation scaling down. For demanding headphones, the road output feeding an exterior amplifier stays the one wise path.
All in all, although, a stable efficiency that made me rediscover a number of outdated CDs beneath a brand new gentle. Placed on some Earth, Wind & Fireplace, crank it to an inexpensive quantity, and the Merak simply delivers – clear, pure, and genuinely partaking. Not probably the most highly effective CD participant on the market, however an sincere one.
And typically, that’s all you want.
Tonality
Highs: clear and managed. Even on vivid recordings, the Fosi Merak maintained composure, by no means tipping into sibilance or fatigue – a trait I’d attribute to the CS43131’s typically well-behaved treble response. Cymbals and hi-hats got here via with respectable element, and on Paolo Nutini’s Coming Up Straightforward, the participant was in a position to reproduce all of the nuance of the monitor, even paired with the Meze 99 Classics – which isn’t recognized to ship an ethereal high finish.
Good take a look at monitor: Paolo Nutini – Iron Sky
Mids: star of the present. That is the place the Merak really shines, and the place the CS43131’s character grew to become most obvious. Vocal copy was significantly spectacular, with a heat and presence that made Modjo’s “Woman” sound precisely how I remembered it from twenty-five years in the past: not recessed, not pushed ahead – simply there, proper the place it ought to be. On the acoustic model, guitars and keyboards had real physique and texture too, with out ever sounding thick or congested, which led me to relisten to the entire album, with this new CD participant.
Good take a look at monitor: Modjo – Woman (Hear Me Tonight)
Bass: clear and well-defined. On Daft Punk’s “Across the World” – that precise CD I discussed shopping for in 1997 – kick drums landed with good weight and the bassline remained tight and managed all through. Extension was respectable however don’t count on sub-bass rumble that shakes the room. By means of the SP5 audio system, bass response improved noticeably, the devoted line output feeding the audio system a fuller, extra authoritative low finish than the headphone jack might handle by itself.
Good take a look at monitor: Daft Punk – Across the World
Noise and energy
Noise: nothing to report. Even with delicate IEMs, the Merak stayed useless silent – no hiss, no hum, no USB-related interference from the laptop computer feeding it energy. Clear.
Energy: ample, however not beneficiant. With max 210mW at 32 ohms, output energy was simply sufficient for the JT7, however clearly, the Fosi gained’t be capable to drive power-hungry planars at excessive quantity. For these, the road output feeding an exterior amp stays the best way to go!
The Fosi Audio Merak article continues on web page two, after the press right here, or after clicking the jumps under.
