Fosi Merak Review (CD Player)

[Henreid]

The Merak is gapless playback but does not apply de-emphasis.

The gapless playback of the Merak is a welcome feature (especially since the SMSL CD Players in the same price range as the Merak are not gapless) but the lack of de-emphasis application is unfortunate. I own a number of "vintage" CDs, and although I couldn't say with certainty whether or not they were mastered with pre-emphasis, I'd be reluctant to invest in a CD player that was unable to correct that upper frequency boost if it was present on those CDs. Even though the Sony UBP-X700U 4K Blu-ray player is currently more than twice as expensive as the Merak, I'll probably be buying that model instead. I'm willing to pay extra for the greater functionality of the Sony in playing UHD discs and SACDs, and while the UBP-X700U hasn't had the good fortune to receive a thorough evaluation by NTTY, I'm fairly confident its CD transport will perform at least as well as the Sony BDP-S1700/K 1080p Blu-ray Player.
Thanks for all your great reviews of CD Players.

 

[NTTY]

On top, the Sony BDP-S1700/K applies de-emphasis in digital domain, before it outputs the signal, and that means a non-compatible DAC, like the Topping DX50III that is used (the ES9039Q2M DAC is not de-emphasis compatible), will play as intended.
I suppose higher level Sony universal transports do the same, unfortunately only listening tests/measurements could confirm unless documented by Sony.

 

[Talisman]

between this and the pl150 sms reader? At the moment they have about the same price, I like this one much more aesthetically.

 

[Wooferhead]

I see many here call the Fosi Merak a CD transport but it is not really a transport since it features an internal Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip inside. It is a CD player instead. I understand that the DAC can be bypassed, and the CD player can function like a transport, but personally I would really prefer a true CD transport with no DAC inside. I don't like having a redundant DAC in a CD player which I don't use. I prefer using a much better quality external DAC. I wish Fosi would remove the DAC, reduce the price, and make a true CD transport version of it. That would be perfect.

 

[Roland68]

I see many here call the Fosi Merak a CD transport but it is not really a transport since it features an internal Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip inside. It is a CD player instead. I understand that the DAC can be bypassed, and the CD player can function like a transport, but personally I would really prefer a true CD transport with no DAC inside. I don't like having a redundant DAC in a CD player which I don't use. I prefer using a much better quality external DAC. I wish Fosi would remove the DAC, reduce the price, and make a true CD transport version of it. That would be perfect.

But that is a problem that exists only in your head.
If Fosi were to release two devices instead of one—while maintaining the same total production volume—costs for development, production (two different devices with smaller production runs for each), and packaging would rise, alongside a significant increase in the effort required for sales and logistics.
Compared to those costs and that effort, the components for the DAC that would be omitted are peanuts.
Either both devices would be more expensive—with the CD transport likely costing at least as much as the current CD player—or, if Fosi calculated the costs realistically, the CD transport would actually end up being more expensive than the current CD player.

What would be gained?
Nothing—no better measurements, no better functionality.

 

[Wooferhead]

But that is a problem that exists only in your head.
If Fosi were to release two devices instead of one—while maintaining the same total production volume—costs for development, production (two different devices with smaller production runs for each), and packaging would rise, alongside a significant increase in the effort required for sales and logistics.
Compared to those costs and that effort, the components for the DAC that would be omitted are peanuts.
Either both devices would be more expensive—with the CD transport likely costing at least as much as the current CD player—or, if Fosi calculated the costs realistically, the CD transport would actually end up being more expensive than the current CD player.

What would be gained?
Nothing—no better measurements, no better functionality.

That's Fosi's problem, not mine, as far as I am concerned. I am just a consumer wanting to get a product I need for the price I am willing to pay. That's all.

BTW, those are just your guesses entirely. The real situation with Fosi could be very different. They might be able to work it out perfectly fine.

 

[Talisman]

That's Fosi's problem, not mine, as far as I am concerned. I am just a consumer wanting to get a product I need for the price I am willing to pay. That's all.

BTW, those are just your guesses entirely. The real situation with Fosi could be very different. They might be able to work it out perfectly fine.

Merak is a perfect digital transport for $150, and if you're happy with it, buy it, otherwise move on. It's really true that people are never satisfied with anything.

 

[Matt_Holland]

I see many here call the Fosi Merak a CD transport but it is not really a transport since it features an internal Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip inside. It is a CD player instead. I understand that the DAC can be bypassed, and the CD player can function like a transport, but personally I would really prefer a true CD transport with no DAC inside. I don't like having a redundant DAC in a CD player which I don't use. I prefer using a much better quality external DAC. I wish Fosi would remove the DAC, reduce the price, and make a true CD transport version of it. That would be perfect.

Are you really not going to buy this superb, £125 CD transport because it has a built-in DAC?!!!

 

[Roland68]

That's Fosi's problem, not mine, as far as I am concerned. I am just a consumer wanting to get a product I need for the price I am willing to pay. That's all.

BTW, those are just your guesses entirely. The real situation with Fosi could be very different. They might be able to work it out perfectly fine.

This isn't a guess; it’s the reality every manufacturer has to contend with—and not just in the audio sector. Production volumes and costs are inextricably linked.
You might not have noticed yet, but almost all CD transports are more expensive than comparable CD players. Surely just a coincidence.
The SMSL PL200T is one of the few exceptions to this.

 

[Wooferhead]

Merak is a perfect digital transport for $150, and if you're happy with it, buy it, otherwise move on. It's really true that people are never satisfied with anything.

I don't know about "perfect". That just sounds like some fanboy nonsense. But it is certainly well priced for a budget CD player, not a "digital transport".

 

[Wooferhead]

Are you really not going to buy this superb, £125 CD transport because it has a built-in DAC?!!!

If I really can't find a budget CD transport in this price range, then I have to move up to something more expensive.

I would rather pay more for the Shanling CR60, which is a true CD transport. The exact kind of product I want than paying less for a compromise.

Shenzhen Shanling Digital Techno

en.shanling.com

 

[Talisman]

I don't know about "perfect". That just sounds like some fanboy nonsense. But it is certainly well priced for a budget CD player, not a "digital transport".

Oh Jesus....
It's a perfect digital transport in the sense that the digital output is EXACTLY what comes out of the CD, without any processing or distortion. It has absolutely nothing to do with fanboyism, it's a statement supported by measurements.
It doesn't matter how much you spend, no digital transport will ever have a better output; at best, it will be identical.

 

[Wooferhead]

This isn't a guess; it’s the reality every manufacturer has to contend with—and not just in the audio sector. Production volumes and costs are inextricably linked.
You might not have noticed yet, but almost all CD transports are more expensive than comparable CD players. Surely just a coincidence.
The SMSL PL200T is one of the few exceptions to this.

Unless you work for Fosi, an industry insider, or a hi-fi manufacturer in China yourself, you can only speak for yourself based on your limited understanding.

I don't appreciate people shovelling half-true information and forcing others to accept it as fact.

 

[Wooferhead]

Oh Jesus....
It's a perfect digital transport in the sense that the digital output is EXACTLY what comes out of the CD, without any processing or distortion. It has absolutely nothing to do with fanboyism, it's a statement supported by measurements.
It doesn't matter how much you spend, no digital transport will ever have a better output; at best, it will be identical.

To me, there is a definite difference between a CD player and a CD transport. I am not talking about measurements. If you are unaware of this fact or is not willing to accept it as such, there is no point in continuing this discussion. We will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Talisman]

To me, there is a definite difference between a CD player and a CD transport. I am not talking about measurements. If you are unaware of this fact or is not willing to accept it as such, there is no point in continuing this discussion. We will just have to agree to disagree.

Yours isn't an opinion, it's a mental wank. Spend what you want on what you like. Goodbye.

 

[Matt_Holland]

If I really can't find a budget CD transport in this price range, then I have to move up to something more expensive.

I would rather pay more for the Shanling CR60, which is a true CD transport. The exact kind of product I want than paying less for a compromise.

In what way, apart from the fact it has a built in DAC, is the Fosi not a true CD transport?

You saw the data right? If you want a CD transport it doesn’t get better at any price. It’s a bargain too.

 

[Wooferhead]

In what way, apart from the fact it has a built in DAC, is the Fosi not a true CD transport?

You saw the data right? If you want a CD transport it doesn’t get better at any price. It’s a bargain too.

You just answered the question yourself.

This is the true CD transport I am looking for:

Shenzhen Shanling Digital Techno

en.shanling.com

 

[Talisman]

Then buy it.

 

[Salt]

You just answered the question yourself.

This is the true CD transport I am looking for:

Shenzhen Shanling Digital Techno

en.shanling.com

Nobody will keep you away from buy this, measure it , and publish those measurements here.

 

[Matt_Holland]

You just answered the question yourself.

This is the true CD transport I am looking for:

Shenzhen Shanling Digital Techno

en.shanling.com

I deliberately answered my own question because the definition of a “true CD transport” that you hold dear is completely meaningless apart from as a marketing strategy to extract more money from OCD affected audiophiles.

The Shanling looks nice though.