Goldmund Eidos Reference SACD Player

Goldmund’s flagship SACD player—110 kilograms of Swiss mechanical, digital, and analog engineering built around one objective: extracting everything contained in the recording.

The Goldmund Eidos Reference SACD Player is the ultimate expression of Goldmund’s approach to physical digital media. Introduced in 2021 and handcrafted in the company’s Geneva atelier, this extraordinary reference source combines SACD and CD playback, high-resolution USB audio, precision digital conversion, Goldmund mechanical grounding, and an exceptionally sophisticated analog output stage within a massive sculptural chassis.

At 110 kg / approximately 243 lb, the Eidos Reference is constructed more like a reference turntable than a conventional disc player. Every aspect of the mechanism, chassis, damping, power supply, digital processing, and analog signal path is engineered to minimize the mechanical and electrical disturbances that can obscure information during playback.

Reference SACD and CD Playback

The Eidos Reference supports an unusually broad range of physical digital media.

It plays SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW, with recordable DVD formats supported for audio data files.

This makes the Eidos Reference a formidable source not only for SACD collections but also for conventional Red Book CDs and archived high-resolution audio libraries.

Mechanism with Goldmund Mechanical Grounding

The disc transport is based on a D&M SACD mechanism, but Goldmund does not simply install an off-the-shelf transport inside an elaborate enclosure.

The mechanism is integrated directly into Goldmund’s Mechanical Grounding architecture, engineered to evacuate unwanted vibration away from sensitive components.

Goldmund also adds a dedicated damper to increase the rigidity of the loading mechanism. The objective is greater mechanical stability at the point where the optical system is extracting information from the disc.

For the Eidos Reference, mechanical engineering is treated as an integral part of digital playback.

High-Resolution USB Audio

The Eidos Reference extends well beyond physical media.

Its asynchronous USB input allows a computer or compatible digital source to use the Goldmund as a high-resolution DAC and playback platform.

USB supports PCM up to 384kHz and DoP up to DSD512, allowing the Eidos Reference to serve as the central digital source for both physical discs and high-resolution computer audio.

Reference Analog Outputs

Goldmund equips the Eidos Reference with dedicated stereo analog outputs through both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections.

Balanced XLR output is available at up to 4V RMS in standard mode or 8V RMS in high-output mode.

RCA provides up to 2V RMS standard or 4V RMS high output.

This allows the Eidos Reference to connect directly into a reference preamplifier or integrated amplifier while taking full advantage of Goldmund’s internal digital conversion and analog output architecture.

Digital Output Flexibility

For systems using an external DAC, processor, or Goldmund digital architecture, the Eidos Reference also provides extensive digital connectivity.

Digital outputs include S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and optical, with digital audio output supporting PCM resolutions up to 384kHz.

This flexibility allows the Eidos Reference to operate as a complete player or as an exceptionally sophisticated reference transport within a larger digital system.

Exceptional Measured Performance

The scale of the Eidos Reference is backed by equally serious electrical performance.

Goldmund specifies a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 128dB and dynamic range exceeding 128dB.

Stereo THD+N is specified at less than 0.00016%.

These numbers reflect the extraordinary attention paid to power supply design, mechanical isolation, digital processing, and the analog output stage throughout the player.

A 110 kg Mechanical Structure

The Eidos Reference measures approximately 26.8 inches wide, 31.5 inches high, and 20.9 inches deep and weighs an extraordinary 110 kg / 243 lb.

That scale is fundamental to the design rather than decorative excess.

Goldmund uses the structure to provide mechanical stability and control resonance while physically and mechanically isolating sensitive playback electronics.

The result is a source component with the visual and physical presence normally associated with the most ambitious analog playback systems.

Handcrafted in Geneva

Each Eidos Reference SACD is handmade in Goldmund’s Geneva atelier.

Its sculptural architecture is rooted in the original Eidos Reference while incorporating Goldmund’s subsequent developments in digital audio, mechanical grounding, vibration control, power supply engineering, and high-resolution playback.

The Eidos Reference is available in Silver or Matte Black, allowing the monumental chassis to integrate into different reference system aesthetics.

Technical Specifications

Goldmund Eidos Reference SACD at The Grid HiFi

The Goldmund Eidos Reference SACD Player is built for systems where the source component is expected to meet the same standard as the finest amplification and loudspeakers in the world. Its massive mechanically grounded architecture, SACD and CD transport, high-resolution PCM and DSD capability, reference analog outputs, and extraordinary measured performance make it a true statement digital source.

The Grid HiFi can build a complete reference system around the Eidos Reference, including Goldmund amplification and loudspeakers, complementary reference electronics, power conditioning, cabling, isolation, and professional system setup.

Considering the Eidos Reference? Let’s build the system around it.

Contact The Grid HiFi at (713) 218-8120 for availability, private audition, and reference-system consultation.