Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/stereo-amplifiers/goldmunds-most-advanced-amplifier-ever-is-packed-with-cutting-edge-tech-and-costs-more-than-a-ferrari
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/goldmund-telos-9800-mono-amplifier/
Goldmund's $500,000 Telos 9800 Delivers Over 1,500 Watts of Power Because Apparently, There's a Penthouse in Audio Too
The Goldmund Telos 9800 delivers 1,560 watts at 8 ohms and costs approximately $500,000 per amplifier. What makes this Swiss flagship so special?
Goldmund has unveiled the Telos 9800, its new flagship mono power amplifier, representing the most advanced amp the Swiss company has ever developed. It delivers over 1,500 watts of power.
With a hefty price tag of $500,000, it's reasonable to wonder if this purchase includes someone to explain it to your lover in Geneva, along with a numbered bank account and a chalet in Crans-Montana.
The Telos 9800 builds upon the foundation of the Telos 8800, introduced in 2023, integrating new design and engineering advancements that place it above the recently released mid-range Telos 4800.
Given Goldmund's infrequent replacement of its flagship amplifiers, the Telos 9800 is likely to remain at the top of the company's lineup for years to come.
The Swiss Touch
Engineered and assembled in Switzerland, the Telos 9800 is built around a completely new amplification platform.
While the power supply and amplification stages are separate yet interconnected units, this housing arrangement allows each section to operate under optimal conditions, reinforcing the overall mechanical and electrical integrity of the system.
Designed with a symmetrical signal path from input to output, the Telos 9800 aims to preserve signal integrity by minimizing electromagnetic interference and unwanted noise.
It incorporates comprehensive protection systems designed to ensure reliability even under demanding operating conditions, remaining stable down to a 1-ohm load.
Developed in collaboration with designer Cecil Balani, the Telos 9800 introduces Goldmund's new visual direction.
The two-part form reflects the physical separation of the power supply and amplification stages, imbuing the amplifier with a functional relationship between its internal architecture and external design.
Precision machined aluminum surfaces, a new digital interface, and understated gold accents complete a noticeably more architectural aesthetic compared to Goldmund's previous flagship amplifiers.
These design and engineering changes result in Goldmund claiming that the Telos 9800, especially for demanding musical passages and large dynamic swings, offers superior control with high output.
The company also claims improvements in detail expression, clarity, and overall precision, but these performance claims ultimately depend on the connected system, speakers, and listening environment.
What Makes the Goldmund Telos 9800 Different
Power Output: The Telos 9800 delivers 1,560 watts RMS at 8 ohms, with a specified total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.005% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Dynamic Range: Goldmund specifies a dynamic range of 117 dB, measured over a 22 kHz bandwidth, intended to preserve detail expression across a wide range of listening levels.
Damping Factor: The Telos 9800 has a specified damping factor of 900 at 1 kHz and an output noise floor of less than 3 μV, both intended to support low noise and strong speaker control.
Gain: The amplifier gain is adjustable in 3 dB increments, allowing users to better match the Telos 9800 with various source devices and system configurations.
Analog Signal Path: The Telos 9800 employs a fully analog signal path from input to output, incorporating thermal and paragraph protection features.
The automatic shutdown system is designed to protect both the amplifier and connected speakers in case of operating errors.
Connectivity: The Telos 9800 includes analog and digital inputs, including RCA and XLR connections.
The rear panel also features multiple speaker binding posts, a ground lift switch, a universal power connection, and a 12-volt trigger input for external control.
Power Management System: Goldmund's proprietary power management system combines a 10 kVA transformer capacity with the largest capacitor bank the company has ever developed, providing 648 mF of stored energy.
The redesigned amplification stage, utilizing custom capacitors, a self-designed transformer, and next-generation power boards, is intended to enhance stability, immediate current delivery, and speaker control even under demanding loads.
Goldmund Telos Mono Power Amplifier Comparison
The Goldmund Telos 9800, with its 1,560 watts at 8 ohms, stability down to 1 ohm, a 10 kVA power supply, and 648 mF of energy storage, occupies a somewhat lonely corner of the high-end audio market where rational engineering goals are considered.
The new two-unit architecture that physically separates the power supply from the amplification stage is perhaps more interesting than the headline power figures, as it demonstrates how far Goldmund was willing to go to improve isolation, current delivery, and thermal management.
Alternatives exist at this level, with the most notable being the D'Agostino Relentless Epic 1600, Boulder 3050, and CH Precision M10, but each approaches the problem somewhat differently.
Anyone spending $500,000 on an amp is far exceeding conventional notions of value, and system matching becomes far more important than shopping from a spec sheet.
For that reason, Goldmund's own passive speakers would be the safest and most logical starting point.
Models like the Tethys Passive keep the amp and speaker within the same engineering ecosystem, while Goldmund's flagship Gaia and Apologue speakers already integrate built-in Telos amplification, so the 9800 isn't necessary.
Do you need the Telos 9800? Of course not. It's like needing a penthouse overlooking Lake Geneva. At this level, it simply ceases to be the point after several hundred thousand dollars.
Price and Availability
The Goldmund Telos 9800 is priced at CHF 400,000 per unit, which is approximately £370,000, €430,000 or $500,000 USD.
For more information: goldmund.com
▶ Original source: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/stereo-amplifiers/goldmunds-most-advanced-amplifier-ever-is-packed-with-cutting-edge-tech-and-costs-more-than-a-ferrari
