This audio system combines vinyl, tape, and CDs with a sprinkle of Dieter Rams
The Retro Ambient Audio System, from Trettitre, is a device designed to feed every generation’s sense of FOMO. The setup combines a record player, a CD player, and a cassette deck—plus a magnetic base for your phone—that snap onto a modular metal rack mounted to your wall, where they spin and play music. [Photo: Trettitre] After a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $2.2 million (and a…
The Retro Ambient Audio System, crafted by Trettitre, marries vinyl, tape, and CDs with a dash of Dieter Rams' design philosophy. The system comprises a record player, a CD player, and a cassette deck, all mounted on a modular metal rack displayed on a wall, accompanied by a magnetic phone stand. After a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $2.2 million, the complete package is now available on Trettitre's website for $529. This price includes the three players and the magnetic wall rack, but not speakers.
Trettitre's design director, Yong Cao, explains that the team members, born across three decades, still have fond memories of the formats they first listened to as children. In October 2025, co-founder Jeff Lyu proposed bringing these formats back into the living room to give children a tangible connection to music. Each format represents a different era and evokes distinct emotions, so they are placed at different points along the rack to create a timeline.
The design of the Retro Ambient Audio System resembles wall art, with each player visible and contributing to the room's mood when a record starts spinning. The team aimed to create a minimalist, yet impactful design, drawing inspiration from Bauhaus and Dieter Rams. The LP3 turntable's frosted panel behind the platter lights up while the record spins, and it charges wirelessly on the system's T-shaped rack.
The tonearm automatically sets its own tracking force when the player is turned on, eliminating the need for manual adjustments found in other consumer turntables.
The CD player, DP3, features a clear magnetic lid, allowing the disc to remain visible as it spins. The cassette deck, CP3, boasts a metal top, sharp angles, and big mechanical keys. Both the CD player and cassette deck have a battery life of up to 10 hours when a record is spinning. The system includes a magnetic phone holder, which enables the phone to stream over its own Bluetooth to the same speakers as the other three players.
The creators acknowledge the rise of streaming apps and have included this feature to cater to modern preferences.
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