In an age of fleeting digital streams and disposable earbuds, there has been a powerful return to the tangible, a craving for a music experience that feels as good as it sounds. We’ve rediscovered the warmth of vinyl, the ritual of dropping a needle, and the beauty of album art. Yet, for too long, achieving true high-fidelity sound has meant a tangle of separate components, while achieving aesthetic harmony has been another challenge altogether. The modern hi-fi console is the answer, and a new release, set to be unveiled this year, doesn’t just answer the call—it sets a standard so high it may never be surpassed.
We’re talking about the breathtaking Wrensilva Larrabee Creator Edition M1, a piece that is as much a work of art as it is a feat of audio engineering. This isn’t just another luxury console; it’s a collaboration with a living legend. Wrensilva has partnered with Manny Marroquin, the owner of the iconic Larrabee Studios and an 18-time Grammy-winning mix engineer whose hands have shaped the sound of countless hit records. To honour Larrabee’s 55 years of cultural impact, only 55 of these consoles will ever be made, transforming each one from a piece of furniture into a numbered slice of music history.
The first impression is one of sheer elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. The shell is crafted from premium figured walnut, with striking vertical slat louvred doors that conceal the speakers behind a custom silver-gold fabric. The Creator Edition details are what truly set it apart: a numbered brass plaque (1−55) affirms its exclusivity, while a brass coin bearing Manny’s personal monogram is embedded in the stow-away lid.
Open it up, and you’re greeted by stunning sky blue and white custom leather linings for the interior and the record pocket, which can hold up to 150 albums. Manny’s signature and “Established in 1969” are tastefully stamped on the apron, a constant reminder of the heritage that inspired this creation.
At the heart of the M1 is a Wrensilva floating split-plinth, belt-driven turntable featuring a thick, frosted acrylic platter and a custom two-tone aluminium tonearm fitted with a high-end Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. This isn’t just for show; it’s a serious audiophile setup designed to extract every nuance from your vinyl collection.
The sound is delivered via Wrensilva’s signature 2-way bass reflex speakers, powered by a formidable 300 watts per channel Class D amplifier. With a 921” Egyptian Papyrus cone woofer and a 1” AirCirc Textile Dome tweeter, the system produces the “Wrensilva Signature Sound”—a rich, warm tone with incredibly deep bass and ultra-crisp definition across the spectrum.
