Fosi Audio Adds CD Playback to Its Growing Desktop Hi-Fi Range

The Shenzhen-based brand has built its reputation on compact, high-value components from the BT20A MAX Compact System through to more recent DAC and preamp releases — steadily moving beyond entry-level into more complete system building. Merak feels like a logical next step, bringing a physical source back into a range that has, until now, leaned heavily on digital inputs and streaming.

Merak pairs a Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC with a TPA6120 headphone amplifier stage, supporting playback up to 16-bit/96kHz. It’s a familiar configuration for this category, with the emphasis leaning more toward flexibility and day-to-day usability than chasing headline specs.

That flexibility shows up in how the unit can be used. Alongside its role as a standalone CD player, Merak can function as a digital transport via its optical output, feeding an external DAC with a low-jitter signal. It also supports USB playback and includes one-touch CD ripping to WAV, effectively turning it into a bridge between physical media and file-based libraries.

The design keeps things straightforward. A top-loading mechanism with a transparent lid puts the disc front and centre, while the transport and servo system are described as being tuned for stable, accurate reading with gapless playback — still relevant for live recordings and longer-form pieces.

In context, Merak lands at an interesting point in the market. CD may no longer be the dominant format, but it hasn’t disappeared either and for brands like Fosi, it represents an accessible way to round out a system without pushing users into more complex or expensive solutions.

The bigger picture is that Fosi’s range is starting to look less like a collection of standalone components and more like a modular ecosystem. Adding a CD player into that mix suggests the company is thinking beyond just amplification and conversion, and towards how people actually build and use systems day to day.

The Fosi Audio Merak CD Player is available now via Fosi Audio’s direct channels and selected retailers, with pricing set at US$139.99 | CA$199.99 | €149.99 | £125.99 | AU$199.99.

For more information visit Fosi Audio