{
  "id": 1002948,
  "title": "I enjoyed this CD player's sturdy build and solid sound in testing, but it has a fatal flaw",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/i-enjoyed-this-cd-players-sturdy-build-and-solid-sound-in-testing-but",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/fosi-audio-merak-review"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Fosi Audio Merak is a CD player that is not as portable as it may seem, given its size and weight. Despite being small and light, it requires a power source to operate. Designed for integration into an external system or private domestic listening via headphones, the Merak offers a variety of analog and digital outputs. On the front, it features physical controls, a small OLED display, and a 3.5mm headphone socket powered by Texas Instruments TPA6120 amplification. On the rear, there's a 3.5mm line-level analog output, a digital optical socket for connecting the device to a system, a USB-C slot for power, a 12v trigger output, a slider for electronic anti-shock protection, and a USB-A slot. The USB-A connection allows for playing digital audio files or ripping CDs. The device's build quality is robust, with a large slider for easy volume control. The sound output is energetic, positive, and revealing, with detailed midrange and controlled bass. The Merak is priced at $139 in the United States, £129 in the United Kingdom, and AU$199 in Australia.",
  "summary": "If your system needs an affordable compact disc solution (or if you want to hear your CDs in private), the Fosi Audio Merak might just be the answer…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}