Goldmund makes its reference disc player more accessible with the Eidos SACD

Goldmund Eidos SACD
(Image credit: Goldmund)

Swiss audio specialist Goldmund has spun out a new SACD player. The Eidos SACD arrives as the baby brother to the company’s 2021-released flagship Eidos Reference model, trickling down much of its CD replay engineering prowess into a smaller, more affordable package. Goldmund says the Eidos SACD is essentially “a more compact object without compromise and with an improved ergonomics of the space”.

Like its predecessor, the Eidos SACD is capable of not only playing a variety of audio discs (SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, as well as audio from DVD-R formats) but also PCM 384KHz and to DSD512 when connected to a computer via its USB input. Unsurprisingly that’s it for inputs, though outputs span RCA, XLR, coaxial and optical sockets for adding a preamplifier, processor or integrated amp.

Goldmund says it’s taken every consideration to shield the different sections of the internals to reduce unwanted interference, including the power supply which the company’s R&D team has made more compact and “even better quality” than the one in older Goldmund players, as well as the same audio card found in the Eidos Reference.

Goldmund Eidos SACD

(Image credit: Goldmund)

As the Eidos Reference was the result of a long-term project researching disc mechanisms at Goldmund's Geneva labs, the new player continues to be an advert for that development. It also incorporates a D&M-based SACD mechanism that is integrated into the Goldmund mechanical grounding system to evacuate vibrations. And the Goldmund damper is there to increase the rigidity of the loader mechanism for improved sonic transparency, too.

While there’s now a new front panel that features a ‘control keyboard', the new Eidos largely retains its predecessor’s sleek grey aesthetic. The 20kg player is more compact than its big brother – 44cm wide, 18cm tall and 37cm deep, and without the stand construction that contributes to much of the Eidos Reference’s 110kg weight.

Though the ‘baby’ Eidos SACD was developed with the Asian market in mind (disc playback is still very popular there), it is also coming to the UK and Europe. The damage is £80,000 (AU$149,950) – substantial but (every cloud…) nowhere near as heavy as the Eidos Reference’s £175,000 asking price.

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Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

  • Winston
    No way Pedro for this money I will buy an Esoteric Grandioso any day.
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    Winston said:
    No way Pedro for this money I will buy an Esoteric Grandioso any day.
    Why, it is still ridiculously expensive?
    Reply
  • Winston
    Almost 🤔
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    Winston said:
    Almost 🤔
    At over £48,000 it is ridiculously expensive.
    Reply
  • Winston
    Yes certainly is it really worth the price?
    Reply
  • Jasonovich
    We all understand the concept of diminishing returns, this really is for the customer who wants to align himself with prestige and good taste, I realise this is a subjective and once you enter into this realm, you are swimming in your own bubble.

    If you have money and want to impress upon your circle of friends, then cheers but I'll rather have the local ale, which touches the places many glasses of airy bubbly won't reach.

    If money wasn't the objective, I still be wanting to spend less than it is necessary.

    If you have been watching Steve Huff's Youtube videos and I wish this guy was on What HiFi's payroll, he's absolute ace about giving sound reviews or advice on esoteric hi-fi and I only wish Camalot would roll out the balls on my lottery ticket! Jay iyagi is also one of my most watched YouTube videos.

    One of the things that I can take away from Steves videos that not everything top end is beyond reach, that is, if you're prepared to look beyond the paraphet.

    I'm from the old school, the output is only as good as the source, if you're feeding it lettuce you're not going to get caviar. If I had my own money printing machine, my personal choice would be the following:

    Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK III CD transport
    The Weiss DAC 204
    Hegel P30A and H30A or if I run out of printing money I'll settle for the very modest Vincent integrated amp SV-237 mk II; aaagh cross the Vincent out; I think if I can't have the Hegels, it has to be the Denafrips Thallo...
    and for speakers; oh gosh so many, I think I'll settle for;
    Arendal 1723 THX

    It's so hard and there is a caveat, you need to have extensive listening and in the right sourroundings to make sound judgement and this is where What Hi Fi comes in and to some degree we need a little nudge in the right direction, and it's not always de 'facto, because the product the reviewer likes may not be the solution for you, it's not to say it's bad, getting the right sound will utimately take you on that emotional journal and, it isn't always science.

    I know this is just a bit of fun and maybe in my next life, better fortune may come my way but hey ho, old married guys like me, do what married guys do, we look after number one and NO it isn't ME LOL!
    Reply
  • Winston
    Well as a owner of an Esoteric x01 D2, old reference, I certainly would go if my money allowed me to an Esoteric Grandioso. The sound is crisp and detailed almost analog and the reputation of reliability make it a wise choice
    PS I bought my player second hand I can't spend 17 000 euros on an item even Esoteric
    Reply
  • Navanski
    The number of recordings in SACD format are..........
    Answers on a postcard to........
    Reply
  • Winston
    SACD is not the point the number of CD in circulation outerpass the hyped vinyl. But the real connoisseur, I mean not the follower, knows that cd brings a long time of pleasure and you avoid the change of cartridge, the settings and so on
    Reply
  • Navanski
    Winston said:
    SACD is not the point the number of CD in circulation outerpass the hyped vinyl. But the real connoisseur, I mean not the follower, knows that cd brings a long time of pleasure and you avoid the change of cartridge, the settings and so on
    Agreed. I am quite happy with the red book standard. To my mind it surpasses the best vinyl. I understand the lure of vinyl, it's a very tactile, ritualistic format.
    Nor, for that matter, do I fully understand the hi-res camp. I've tried to tell the difference between hi-res and lossless with just a 50% success rate. In contrast, comparing 320kbs lossy to lossless and I get about 90% success rate.
    Reply