12 Cool New Gadgets to Keep on Your Radar

Schiit Audio’s Buf is a tube buffer that’s designed to be placed between your preamplifier and power amplifier, or between your DAC and integrated amplifier (or preamp or headphone amplifier) in your hi-fi system. The idea is that the audio signal passes through the Buf, which adds warm tones typically associated with vacuum tubes to an otherwise sterile sound. Is it necessary? No, but it’s fun. According to Schiit, you should consider the Buf if you’re bored with your system’s sound or just want to experiment with the warmth of vacuum tubes.

The CoolGeek TS-01 is a belt-drive turntable with a minimalist design and retro aesthetic. It’s fully automatic, so once you press play, the turntable does all the work for you. No need to worry about dropping the needle yourself. And it supports Bluetooth, so you can stream vinyl to wireless speakers or headphones. Additionally, it’s integrated with RGB lights beneath the platter, so the turntable appears to glow as it plays.

The Fiio K17 R2R Pro is an all-in-one hi-fi component for your desktop. It combines a high-resolution DAC, streamer and powerful headphone amplifier into one box. Most notably, it features Fiio’s custom-developed DAC with a resistor ladder (R2R) architecture. According to the brand, the K17 R2R Pro is “engineered to deliver uncompromising sound quality with cutting-edge functionality.’

Pro-Ject’s Stream Box E is a music streamer designed to pair with your current integrated amplifier and passive speaker setup. It allows you to stream high-resolution audio over Wi-Fi to that system. It’s powered by WiiM OS and supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect right out of the box.

The Pro-Ject Wireless Box E is a uniquely designed streaming amplifier that connects directly to the rear speaker terminals. So it looks kind of like a backpack for your bookshelf speaker. One can work as a standalone streaming amp that can transform a single passive bookshelf speaker into an active one with streaming capabilities. However, it’s really designed to work in a stereo pair, meaning you need two Wireless Box E (one connected to the back of each speaker pair). From there, the passive speaker pair works as an active speaker system. The Wireless Box E runs WiiM OS and supports Wi-Fi streaming.

The Logitech G512 X is the company’s new flagship gaming keyboard, and it’s its most advanced and customizable model yet. It’s unique because it’s the brand’s first keyboard with dual-swap technology, supporting both mechanical and analog switches. And it’s integrated with TMR (Tunnel Magneto Resistance) sensor technology, allowing players to map actions based on keypress depth. According to the brand, this makes it “perfect for flight sims, racing titles, and tactical shooters where millimeter precision is the difference between victory and defeat.” The G512 X is available in both 75 and 98 layouts, and comes in black or white finishes.

The Sony PS-LX5BT is the brand’s other new turntable for 2026 — it’s positioned as a slightly higher-end version of the company’s PS-LX3BT. Both are fully automatic turntables with a nearly identical design and built-in Bluetooth. But the PS-LX5BT comes equipped with few more premium components, including a higher-end cartridge and gold-plated audio jacks, and is $100 more expensive.

The Zen Air Phono 2 is a new-and-improved version of the company’s original entry-level phono preamplifier, the Zen Air Phono, which was released in 2022. It looks and works quite similarly to its predecessor, as it’s compatible with either moving-magnet (MM) or moving-coil (MC) cartridges and offers switchable gains to adjust to your cartridge. But iFi integrated it with a more accurate RIAA equalizer and a new high-current power supply design. According to the brand, it “provides a drastically improved listening experience compared to the built-in phono stages of record players and amplifiers.”

iFi has introduced the second-generation of its entry-level desktop DAC and headphone amplifier. The Zen Air DAC 2 has a similar design to its predecessor, but features a more premium “midnight blue” finish and a new Cirrus Logic DAC, which the company says was selected for “how naturally it presents detail without sounding forced or analytical.” It also features a balanced 4.4mm headphone output and a more powerful amp that can deliver “up to 300% more headphone drive” than the previous model.

The Zen Air Blue 2 is a refreshed version of the company’s original entry-level Bluetooth receiver, which was released in 2022. This second-generation model looks and works just like before, adding Bluetooth streaming capabilities to older hi-fi systems. But it features a new DAC and chipset that enables it to support higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, including aptX Lossless and LDAC. Plus, it adds 5-12V compatibility, so you can hook it up to your old car’s stereo system and stream audio over Bluetooth.

A year and a half after DJI introduced the original Mic Mini, which was released in late 2024, the company has come out with its successor. And it hasn’t messed with success too much. The Mic Mini 2 is the same compact wireless mic system as before, consisting of a receiver and a mic, but it adds a few new features, most notably colorful magnetic mic covers. So, basically, they’re more stylish and customizable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like a US release is coming anytime soon.

Released in September 2025, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the brand’s current flagship pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. They’re essentially a more premium version of the Px7 S3 (which cost $479, and are positioned as rivals to Apple’s, Bose’s and Sony’s flagship ANC cans), as they marry higher-end materials like aluminum and Nappa leather and deliver a more spacious sound. Since their release, B&W has offered the Px8 S2 in two finishes, Warm Stone and Onyx Black. As of April 2026, the company has introduced two new color options: Midnight Blue (shown) and Pearl Blue.