Some weeks in AV feel quiet. This one definitely wasn’t. Between a surprise CD transport, a furniture-grade streaming speaker, and Sonos finally rolling out new hardware again, the past few days delivered a little bit of everything, from ultra-high-end hi-fi to budget-friendly headphones that claim battery life numbers that sound almost fictional.
Here's our weekly roundup of new products worth keeping on your radar, whether you’re upgrading your system, shopping casually, or just like staying in the loop.
Sometimes a product doesn’t try to reinvent anything—it just shows up and does its job properly.
That’s exactly what Mission Audio is doing with the 778CDT, a dedicated CD transport designed to match the company’s existing 778X integrated amplifier ($899 at Amazon) and 778S streamer. Same footprint, same understated aesthetic, and a refreshingly straightforward mission: spin discs and deliver a clean digital signal.
There’s no DAC inside, just coaxial and optical outputs, because this is strictly about transport quality. The slot-loading mechanism, solid metal chassis, and focus on low jitter make it clear this isn’t a novelty product. Pricing lands at $999 in the U.S., with February availability noted, and more aggressive pricing overseas. If you’re sitting on a stack of CDs and already own (or are eyeing) the rest of the 778 stack, this feels like a logical addition rather than a nostalgic indulgence. Read more.
This one made me pause while writing the piece.
Tribit claims up to 110 hours of battery life with ANC off, and even with noise canceling engaged, you’re still looking at around 70 hours. At a $49.99 asking price, that’s an eyebrow-raising spec.
Beyond battery life, the QuietPlus 81 packs hybrid ANC rated up to 45dB, transparency mode, 40mm drivers, multipoint Bluetooth, app EQ with six presets, and a low-latency mode for gaming or video. There’s also wired listening via 3.5mm and fast charging (about four hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up). These aren’t trying to dethrone premium ANC cans, but for budget travelers or daily commuters, they punch way above what you’d expect at this price. Read more.
If you love vintage hi-fi aesthetics with modern engineering underneath, this one’s a showstopper.
JBL has launched the L100 Classic 80, an 80th-anniversary edition limited to just 800 pairs worldwide. You still get the iconic Quadrex foam grille and walnut veneer, but inside are updated drivers and a revised crossover.
The three-way design features a 12-inch woofer, 5.25-inch midrange, and 1-inch titanium dome tweeter. Sensitivity is rated at 88dB with a 4-ohm load, and JBL recommends amplifiers between 25 and 125 watts. Price is $7,499 per pair, with shipping expected in February. This is unapologetically collector territory, but for fans of the original L100, it’s a beautifully executed tribute. Read more.
This might be the most practically useful product of the week.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems designed the Pre Box S3 as a compact control center for modern living rooms. The standout feature is HDMI eARC, which makes integrating your TV painless, still oddly rare on small hi-fi preamps.
It also includes a phono stage with MM/MC support, Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD, multiple digital and analog inputs, headphone output, subwoofer out, and selectable filters. You can run it purely as a DAC, purely as a preamp, or somewhere in between. Pricing sits at $699, with availability slated for February. If your system needs one box to tie together vinyl, TV audio, headphones, and streaming, this checks a lot of boxes. Read more.
This is the most design-forward release of the week, and maybe the year so far.
Ruark Audio created the R810 MiE (Made in England) as a handcrafted, ultra-limited version of its flagship all-in-one system. Only 50 units will be made, each featuring bespoke cabinetry with marquetry detailing and hand-applied finishes.
Underneath the furniture-grade exterior is a fully modern streaming platform with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, HDMI eARC, and high-resolution playback. Internally, it’s powered by 180 watts of Class AB amplification driving a multi-driver array including a long-throw subwoofer. UK pricing is £6,495, with U.S. pricing still to be announced. It’s extravagant, but also genuinely impressive. Read more.
After more than a year without new hardware, Sonos is back, with something aimed squarely at professional installers.
Amp Multi is a rack-mountable, 1U streaming amplifier delivering eight channels of amplification (125 watts per channel) across up to four independent zones. It’s Ethernet-only, built for reliability, and designed to live in structured wiring closets rather than living rooms.
Features include zone-level audio delay, Sonos OS for Business support, and integrator-friendly setup tools. At $2,499 with shipping expected in March, this isn’t for casual users, but for whole-home audio installs, it’s a meaningful evolution of the Sonos ecosystem. Read more.
Open-ear audio continues to evolve, and Sony is now officially in the clip-on game.
The LinkBuds Clip sit outside your ear canal, using a C-shaped band for stability and awareness. Sony’s differentiator here is call quality: bone conduction sensors combined with AI noise reduction aim to keep voices clear even in noisy environments.
You also get multipoint Bluetooth, DSEE processing, a 10-band EQ in the app, and about nine hours of playback (37 with the case). There’s no wireless charging, but at $229.99 on Amazon, they slot neatly between Shokz and Bose in both price and positioning. Read more.
If your ideal preamp looks like laboratory equipment, you’ll appreciate this.
Nagra introduced the Preamp II-S as the first product in its new Series II lineup, positioned between the Compact and HD ranges. It brings back the iconic Modulometer, adds an OLED display, and uses next-generation vacuum tubes shared with Nagra’s higher-end gear.
Connectivity includes multiple RCA inputs, balanced and unbalanced outputs, selectable gain, and an external power supply. Dynamic range is quoted at 125dB. Pricing is firmly high-end: £21,998 with the power supply or £18,348 without. It’s available now. Read more.
FiiO went full retro with the EH11, a $30 (available at Amazon) Bluetooth on-ear headphone that looks straight out of the ’80s, complete with foam pads, transparent accents, and wooden earcups that double as control knobs.
Despite the styling, it’s modern under the hood: Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC support, a 40mm driver, app EQ, low-latency mode, USB-C charging, and up to 30 hours of battery life.
Alongside it, FiiO refreshed its JM21 digital audio player with more RAM and a larger battery, pushing playback up to 16 hours. It’s a fun combo of nostalgia and practicality. Read more.
Finally, Fosi Audio rolled out two compact DAC/amps aimed at very different users.
The MD3 Magnetic is a MagSafe-style portable DAC designed for phones, featuring balanced and single-ended outputs plus a rotating display. Pricing hasn’t been finalized yet.
The DS3, on the other hand, is available now for $99.99 at Amazon. It supports ultra-high-resolution audio, works with consoles thanks to UAC 1.0 compatibility, and will eventually gain browser-based parametric EQ via firmware. For gamers and desktop listeners on a budget, this one could end up being a sleeper hit. Read more.
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