Goldmund's luxury amp teases stunning precision and power – but the price will make your head spin

(Image credit: Goldmund)

If you think you know luxury amplifiers, think again. High-end audio manufacturer Goldmund is back with another addition to its super high-end Telos line, this time with the new Telos 2800 mono power amplifier, and its prices are enough to give you a nosebleed. We thought the recently unveiled McIntosh MC2.1KW monoblock amp was expensive at £59,995 / €64,990 / $50,000, but Goldmund has blown those figures out of the water with a humongous asking price for the Telos 2800 of £125,000 for a single unit.

At such prices, we're expecting serious firepower. Goldmund promises that the release of the Telos 2800 "marks a milestone in high-fidelity audio", with a sound that has been engineered to "redefine the standards of sound quality and precision". Those are the sorts of claims we can get excited by.

The Telos 2800 claims to offer a max power output of 450 Wrms into 8 ohms, with a promised dynamic range of 110dB within 22kHz of bandwidth and extremely low noise floor for the inputs, all in the name of offering immense clarity and depth along the way. Central to the luxury amplifier is a toroidal power transformer which, alongside a colossal capacitor bank, should result in major gains in dynamics and the amp's reactivity.

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Better still, the Telos is promising significant gains in heat regulation. A new heat sink covers the entire rear panel of the hefty 59kg amp, and this larger surface area allows more heat to be dissipated.

Rear shot of Goldmund Telos 2800 amp on a white background — (Image credit: Goldmund)

On the rear panel you'll find single RCA and balanced XLR inputs alongside a digital input and output RCA connectors. The amp is also fitted with two output binding posts and a single Goldmund speaker 4B-type connector.

Goldmund doesn't really do "affordable", with the 2800 joining the outrageously high-end Telos 8800 power amp that itself boasts a price tag of £350,000 (£700,000 if you want a pair). That almost softens the blow for the new Telos 2800, as this mono power amp will set you back a comparatively modest (!) £125,000 / $140,000 for a single unit, or £250,000 / $280,000 for a pair of monoblocks. Bargain!

MORE:

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Harry McKerrell is a senior staff writer at What Hi-Fi?. During his time at the publication, he has written countless news stories alongside features, advice and reviews of products ranging from floorstanding speakers and music streamers to over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds and portable DACs. He has covered launches from hi-fi and consumer tech brands, and major industry events including IFA, High End Munich and, of course, the Bristol Hi-Fi Show. When not at work he can be found playing hockey, practising the piano or trying to pet strangers' dogs.

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16 Comments Comment from the forums

Hifiman

I would normally defend the right for someone to spend their hard earned savings on something which is clearly an interest of theirs but I am becoming more uneasy when reading about new hifi products which are now costing incredible sums of money. We have these amplifiers which, combined with the Sonus Faber speakers announced at CES, would cost nearly £1m. And there is still need for a front end.

With all the issues affecting many at home and abroad I am not sure it is easy - in all conscience - to celebrate these products when the money paid to purchase them could probably be put to a better use. And I refer to both the customer and the manufacturer.

I wonder if I am alone in beginning to feel this way?
Reply
edcpadam

No, you're not alone.
Yes, people have the right to spend their money on whatever they wish. However, those figures in my opinion, are obscene. Will it sound great? I'm sure it will. Will it sound better than a power amp at a tenth of the price?(still way more than I'd ever spend on an amp). I don't know...define 'better'...
It's all (profanity deleted by moderation) as far as I'm concerned and yes, that money could be put to so much better use
Reply
EssentiallyJay

Hifiman said:
I would normally defend the right for someone to spend their hard earned savings on something which is clearly an interest of theirs but I am becoming more uneasy when reading about new hifi products which are now costing incredible sums of money. We have these amplifiers which, combined with the Sonus Faber speakers announced at CES, would cost nearly £1m. And there is still need for a front end.

With all the issues affecting many at home and abroad I am not sure it is easy - in all conscience - to celebrate these products when the money paid to purchase them could probably be put to a better use. And I refer to both the customer and the manufacturer.

I wonder if I am alone in beginning to feel this way?
Have to say I'm fine with it.

Whilst there's obscene inequalities in the world you'll never outright prevent it as contrary to idealist beliefs not all people are born equal and there will always be those that overachieve and be in the market for such things

You can remain safe in the knowledge this is well into the extremes of diminishing returns in that a setup a 10th of the price will achieve the same sonics to all but the most precision measuring instruments.

Saved money is better spent on live concerts and theatre when not listening at home.

I lost despair or envy of such things decades ago - the only luxury I would add to my current setup is a dedicated sonically tuned room.

I expect your hifi setup is near equivalent otherwise...
Reply
Wales1

Ridiculous. I guarantee you would not be able to distinguish between that and say one costing 10k
Reply
Jasonovich

The most practical power amp, you can microwave your popcorn while listening to music. Awesome!
Reply
Jasonovich

Hifiman said:
I would normally defend the right for someone to spend their hard earned savings on something which is clearly an interest of theirs but I am becoming more uneasy when reading about new hifi products which are now costing incredible sums of money. We have these amplifiers which, combined with the Sonus Faber speakers announced at CES, would cost nearly £1m. And there is still need for a front end.

With all the issues affecting many at home and abroad I am not sure it is easy - in all conscience - to celebrate these products when the money paid to purchase them could probably be put to a better use. And I refer to both the customer and the manufacturer.

I wonder if I am alone in beginning to feel this way?
I guess if you want to make it exclusive for the selective few, put a couple of zeros at the end of the price tag.
It's really a case of nothing to see, move on and, I think it would be well advised that WHF doesn't give exposure to this, and focus more on HiFi which are priced within most people's budget or allows them the means to purchase when funds become available.
Reply
GSV Ethics Gradient

Wales1 said:
Ridiculous. I guarantee you would not be able to distinguish between that and say one costing 10k
Whilst the price is obscene, unless you've heard it you really aren't in a position to make such a statement.
Reply
Wales1

12th Monkey said:
Whilst the price is obscene, unless you've heard it you really aren't in a position to make such a statement.
I'm in a position to have an opinion. Just like you.
Reply
edcpadam

There are bigger problems in the world.
Reply
Jasonovich

edcpadam said:

There are bigger problems in the world.
I don't think it offends anyone, unless you're looking to be offended.
Most main stream publications use a template. A square doesn't fit into a round hole, It isn't personal, it's just the modus operandi.
Reply

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