Goldmund Introduces Eidos Excellence SACD Player With Focus on Precision Playback.
Swiss audio manufacturer Goldmund has announced the Eidos Excellence SACD, a new disc player positioned in the company’s mid-range lineup but built around several of the engineering concepts found in its flagship models. The company says the device is designed for listeners who value physical media and high-resolution audio formats, particularly Super Audio CD (SACD).
According to Goldmund, the Eidos Excellence SACD aims to “preserve the highest standard of playback for those who know that excellence is not merely heard—it is experienced.” While such claims are subjective, the player incorporates a number of design choices intended to reduce noise, increase stability, and maximize format compatibility.
At the core of the unit is a combination of mechanical and electronic engineering that the company describes as a “rare union of ultra-precise electronic architecture and mechanical transport design.” Goldmund states that this approach improves fidelity and reduces vibration during disc playback. The internal transport uses what the manufacturer calls a Suppress Vibration Hybrid mechanism, which is designed for quiet operation and stable reading of SACD and CD media.
Goldmund highlights SACD performance as a primary focus. The format, which stores audio using the DSD standard at 2.8 MHz, is processed by dedicated digital-to-analog converters for each channel. The company claims this configuration places the device “among the most precise SACD player available today,” though no independent measurements accompanied the announcement.
Two-Box Design
The power supply architecture is another point of emphasis. Goldmund says each voltage rail is generated independently for the left and right channels, which is intended to minimize potential interference. The system uses customized transformers and a multi-stage design that, according to the release, “eliminates measurable noise” and helps isolate the player from fluctuations in household power. The power supply is housed in a separate chassis—a “Dual-Box Design” meant to reduce electromagnetic emissions. A shielded cable, described as similar to those used in the company’s higher-end electronics, connects the two enclosures.
Beyond SACD and CD playback, the Eidos Excellence supports a wide range of optical disc types carrying audio files, including CD-R, CD-RW, and various writable DVD formats. For digital files, the player can handle PCM audio up to 384 kHz and DSD up to DSD512, ensuring compatibility with many high-resolution formats distributed online.
Goldmund positions the Eidos Excellence SACD as a response to the decline of physical formats, arguing that quality-oriented listeners still value the medium. The company states that the new model “stands as a testament to the enduring value of physical formats” and is intended to deliver a presentation with “a soundstage that feels infinite.”
