Fosi Merak Review (CD Player)

[DazST]

Another option seems to be FiiO DP11, similar price but not yet tested by NTTY

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Oh, it's finally released...been looking forward to this

 

[NTTY]

I’m really happy to see regularly new joiners to the CD players club. It would be an interesting one to review, considering the very reasonable price.

 

[hopkins]

I purchased the Merak after reading this thread.

The sound quality using its Toslink output is remarkable. Cristal clear sound - for me this is a game changer over file playback/streaming and the few other CD transports I have used (Shanling, and a vintage Sony).

I briefly compared the same CD with its ripped file (ripped with the Merak) played back through an attached USB drive. USB playback does not have the magic of CD playback, IMO.

I have not yet checked playback of CD-R, but intend to.

I use it connected to my ECDesigns powerDAC-SX.

I am powering the Merak with an LHY 5v battery power supply which I previously owned, and have not yet tried it with other 5v supplies to see if the power quality makes any difference…

 

[FuzzPizza]

Another option seems to be FiiO DP11, similar price but not yet tested by NTTY

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Keeping my eye on the DP11 and the upcoming DM11.

https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/product-launches/fiio-dm11-portable-cd-player-with-replaceable-batteries

 

[Sweefu]

Another great review!

My CD's are mostly early or first releases Vertigo/Polygram or Japanese Sony/CBS. Am I right in thinking the Merak isn't a suitable choice for me given it can't decode the pre-emphasis?

Thanks!

 

[geopapa]

I got one last week to use as a transport and sit right next to my technics sl-d1. It's really nice also it is gapless and haven't had any fail reading CDs yet but if you own the topping e30 beware: signal locks but no sound unless you mute/unmute the dac... Same when skipping track or select any track with the remote. I've contacted support and they said they forwarded the report to the dev team.. anyway, it's a bit frustrating with the e30 but no regrets. . Reading other reports it seems it works fine with other DACs