The 25 Best Hi-Fi Gadgets from One of the World’s Biggest Audio Shows

The Rebellion is the first pair of bookshelf speakers to be included in Klipsch’s legendary Heritage series. The speakers are based on Paul W. Klipsch’s original 1958 design for the H8 speakers, of which only 16 were made. They have a two-way design that “elevates” PWK’s original design with a highly efficient K-702 tweeter mounted to a K-703 Tractrix Horn. This is paired with the new K-81-EP woofer. Like the rest of the Heritage series, the Rebellion will be exclusively made in Hope, Arkansas.

The Audio-Technica AT-MCD1 is the brand’s new flagship moving-coil phono cartridge. It features a unified diamond stylus/cantilever, a newly developed Shibata stylus and a dual-moving-coil design. (It’s essentially an upgraded version of its limited-edition 60th anniversary AT-MC2022 cartridge, which was released in 2022 and priced at $9,000.) Audio-Technica claims that it’s “the finest phono cartridge the company has ever produced.”

The MA2375 is a two-channel integrated amplifier that combines a fully analog vacuum tube preamplifier and a vacuum tube power amplifier into one gorgeous box. In fact, it’s McIntosh’s first vacuum tube integrated amplifier in more than a decade. Its power amplifier section features four KT88 output tubes and four 12AT7 driver tubes. And it’s capable of delivering 75 watts per channel. And its vacuum tube preamplifier section is powered by two 12AX7A and two 12AT7 preamp tubes. McIntosh claims that the MA2375 has been engineered to provide consistent performance across a wide range of loudspeakers, specifically those impedance ratings of 4, 8 and 16 ohms.

The AE Active is an active bookshelf speaker system that’s an updated version of the AE1 Active, launched by the British audio maker in 2017. They work the same. Each speaker is fully active, with Class A/B amplification and a dedicated 50-watt amplifier per drive. And the system features balanced XLR and RCA line level connections. Unlike many of today’s active speaker systems, the AE Active doesn’t have a built-in DAC or streaming support.

To celebrate the company’s 80th anniversary, Onkyo has released a special edition version of its Muse Y-50 streaming amplifier. This model takes design cues from the brand’s revered Integra M-588 amplifier from the ’90s, featuring walnut side panels, a Champagne gold aluminum front panel, and a uniquely patterned San Kuzushi ventilated top plate inspired by Japanese culture. Aside from the visuals, the Muse Y-50 is still a versatile streaming amplifier that’s capable of delivering 250 watts per channel (into 4 ohms). And it supports most streaming protocols and offers a wide range of wired connections, including hookups for a turntable and a TV.

AudioQuest’s Dragonfly range of portable DAC/amps has been a fan favorite of audiophiles for years. Like its predecessors, including Red and Cobalt models, the Copper plugs into your computer or smartphone via USB-A (a USB-C adapter is included), bypasses its audio circuitry and delivers a cleaner, more natural signal to your wired headphones. However, the Copper features a new 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC and a more efficient processor. Plus, it has twice the output power of any previous DragonFly amps.

The Romanian hi-fi company specializes in high-end planar magnetic headphones. And now with the Arta, it has a new flagship. They have a sculptural design, are made of premium materials (including carbon fiber and leather) and feature a Rinaro High Impedance Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ5 HΩ driver, which Meze Audio claims is the highest-impedance planar magnetic headphone driver to date. According to the brand, the Arta headphones “deliver a rich, speaker-like presentation with lifelike detail, offering the most immersive sonic experience we have ever created.”

The WiiM Bar is the company’s first-ever soundbar and, naturally, it’s aimed squarely at Sonos. On its own, the Bar is a 3.0.2-channel soundbar with a custom 8-driver array that includes up-firing drivers, so it promises to deliver an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. You can configure the Bar with WiiM’s existing wireless speakers and subwoofers to create an immersive 5.1.2-channel surround sound system. That said, maybe the most interesting aspect of the WiiM Bar is that at its center is a round, glass-covered touchscreen that displays album artwork (when streaming music), playback controls, EQ settings and other audio presets.

The Cambridge Audio Evo 300 is the brand’s most powerful streaming amplifier to date. It features state-of-the-art Hypex NCOREx Class D amplification in a dual-mono layout, delivering a massive 300 watts per channel. This makes it twice as powerful as the Evo 150 SE and, according to the brand, it’s capable of driving “the most demanding speakers.” Aside from power, the Evo 300 supports most major Wi-Fi streaming protocols and has numerous wired connections, including those for connecting a TV or turntable.

The Ortofon MC Vertex is the company’s most advanced moving-coil phono cartridge to date. At its core is a newly developed diamond stylus, which Ortofon calls the Vertex diamond, and explains that it “combines advanced geometry, diamond-on-diamond construction, and precision manufacturing to deliver high resolution, clarity, and long-term consistency.” At $17,000, it’s a phono cartridge designed for truly elite audiophile turntables.

To celebrate the British hi-fi maker’s 50th anniversary, Arcam has introduced a new flagship integrated amplifier that sits atop the brand’s high-end Radia range: the A50 Signature. It has a fully dual-mono Class G architecture (a first for the brand), which Arcam claims “delivers exceptional channel separation, low noise, and high dynamic capability.” It’s capable of outputting 150 watts (at 8 ohms) per channel, thus promising to drive a wide range of loudspeakers. Additionally, it has a built-in MM/MC phono stage for easy turntable hookups. It features USB-C and HDMI eARC inputs, so it can technically function as the hub of your desktop hi-fi or home theater. And it supports Bluetooth streaming, too.

The Arcam CD25 is the company’s new flagship CD player, designed to pair with its Radia Series of amplifiers (including the all-new A50 Signature). According to the brand, it “combines precision engineering with modern circuit design to deliver exceptional Compact Disc playback.” It also claims to be the best-sounding CD player the brand has ever produced.

Bowers & Wilkins introduced the fifth generation of its top-of-the-line 800 Series Diamond, which the brand calls “the world’s most revered and iconic range of high-end loudspeakers.” The new D5 range features seven different models, including one bookshelf and four floorstanders, each of which has an updated aesthetic (including four new finishes) and packs numerous acoustic, mechanical and electrical improvements over their 2021 predecessors.

The Dual CS 629Q is a high-end, fully automatic turntable featuring a newly developed direct-drive motor. In fact, the German audio maker claims it’s “the world’s first newly introduced fully automatic direct-drive turntable of the 21st century.” It’s engineered to deliver audiophile-grade vinyl playback while also being incredibly easy to use. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth, allowing it to stream audio to wireless speaker systems. It’s expected to be released in mid-2027.

Ruark’s R710 is the company’s most powerful streaming amplifier in its flagship 100 Series. It can output up to 200 watts per channel and power a wide range of passive bookshelf and floorstanding loudspeakers. Additionally, it offers numerous wired and wireless connections, but its most interesting feature is a built-in CD player.

Ruark’s Talisman-R is the brand’s first floorstanding speakers to be introduced to its flagship 100 Series of hi-fi components. Designed to pay homage to its original Talisman floorstanding speakers, released in 1990, each speaker has a similar slim profile with a sloped baffle. They also feature a two-way bass reflex design with a 165mm treated-fiber long-throw woofer and a 27mm silk-dome tweeter. Unlike the originals, Ruark has updated them with modern crossover components (capacitors, resistors, and low-loss inductors) and improved cabinet bracing.

The Astell&Kern SP4000T is the next evolution of the company’s flagship portable hi-fi player. As the “T” indicates, its main upgrade is the integration of four vacuum tubes. Specifically, the SP4000T features Raytheon JAN6418 MIL-Spec vintage vacuum tubes in a quad configuration. It also features a new Triple Tube Mode that lets listeners choose from up to 54 combinations of tube and amp current settings, allowing them to fully customize their sound. At the time of writing, pricing hasn’t been announced, but you can expect it to go for north of $4,290, which was the current SP4000 is going for.

The Astell&Kern Clarus is the brand’s latest high-end pair of in-ear monitors. They are designed around a 9-driver tribrid architecture, featuring a dynamic driver for low frequencies, balanced armature drivers for mids and highs, and MEMS drivers for ultra-high frequencies. Each earbud is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum. According to Astell&Kern, the Clarus is designed to deliver transparent and distortion-free audio exactly as the artist intended. At the time of writing, price and availability info have not yet been released.

The Yamaha NX-70A is the company’s first pair of active wireless speakers in a decade. And, while it enters a crowded field, Yamaha’s newest offering is aimed at the high-end of the market, targeting other flagship systems by the likes of KEF, Klipsch and Cambridge Audio. Each speaker has its own built-in amplification (as opposed to one speaker housing both), sending 100 watts to the woofer and 60 watts to the tweeter. The system supports WI-Fi streaming and numerous wired connections, including HDMI eARC, so it can function as an alternative to a high-end soundbar.

The California-based hi-fi specialist has introduced the MM-520, a pair of open-back, over-ear headphones designed for musicians and audio professionals. They’re an updated version of the company’s MM-500 studio headphones, as they have the same general design and feature the same 90mm planar magnetic drivers. The main upgrade with the MM-520 is the integration of Audeze’s SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology, which the brand says should improve the headphone’s bass accuracy and spatial detail.

The Osprey is the newest and most affordable addition to the Texas-based brand’s wireless earbud offerings. Each Osprey earbud features a hybrid dual-driver configuration that pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a custom-balanced armature. According to the brand, this combo “provides confident, controlled bass, a natural and expressive midrange, and clean, extended highs with excellent separation.” The earbuds support LDAC and thus can stream high-resolution audio over Bluetooth. And they feature active noise-cancellation and transparency modes.

KLH has added a fourth loudspeaker to its “Model” loudspeaker range, all of which draw on visual cues from its classic designs from the ’60s and ’70s. The Model Four is a compact floorstanding loudspeaker that is designed to fill the gap between KLH’s Model Three bookshelf speakers and Model Five floorstanders. According to the brand, it unites “the small footprint of Model Three with the sonic architecture of Model Five in a cabinet built for homes where space is precious, design is paramount and fidelity is demanded.”

Fiio’s Level 1 is an integrated amplifier that combines a power amplifier, preamplifier and DAC, as well as both wired and wireless connections, into one compact box that weighs just 1.49 pounds. The amplifier can deliver up to 300 watts per channel (at 4 ohms), which should be more than enough to handle most bookshelf speakers and desktop monitors (and even less demanding floorstanding speakers). And it boasts numerous wired and wireless connections, so you can hook it up to a laptop or desktop, as well as traditional hi-fi sources.

iFi’s iDSD GR 2 is a portable DAC and headphone amplifier that is designed as the next evolution of the brand’s 2021-released xDSD Gryphon. It features an all-new DAC architecture, upgraded fully balanced amplification, an intuitive OLED touchscreen interface and JVCKENWOOD’s K2HD processing technology, while also supporting high-resolution Bluetooth streaming (thanks to LDAC). According to iFi, it’s a “portable powerhouse designed for audiophiles who want uncompromising sound beyond the confines of the desktop.”

Neat Acoustics has added a new pair of passive floorstanding speakers to the top of its high-end Classic range of loudspeakers. The Vito Classic is a 2.5-way loudspeaker that features an AMT tweeter and dual bass-midrange drivers. According to the brand, they’ve been developed to deliver “a spacious, natural and immersive musical presentation from an elegant and discreetly proportioned floor standing cabinet.”