Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Gear, I agree. Not a fan of Goldmund spinner or TT tech, but I guess they were pushed to have a complete line for their very exclusive clientele and back then, a Spinner was mandatory and with less than 40 people in total, they had to outsource mechanical stuff like this and still keep the fancy pricing.

To me they are a Speaker and Amp company (they even made a tube amp and its displayed in the lobby of their HQ). they are very competent in digital as well. Nowadays, their software is top notch as they cherry pick the best acoustical Phds and combine that with university an corporate collaborations and hence their leadership position in Wireless. However, like all small companies they will have their vulnarabilities and perhaps 4D sound in Home Cinema is such an area?

Before I actually did a couple demos there, I thought they were all bling and little audiophile substance. Now I know better, they are ALL substance and the bling is only about their target market. Hopefully, one day Job will make their version of the Prologos wireless for real world prices. I am sure you will get 90% of the SQ for 20% of the price. By then, the Goldmund label will have new fancy cosmetic styling and Job will get the boxy look without the mechanical grounding stands. LoL

I agree Norman. I have read enough about Goldmund to know they are a serious company. I had read L's extended tirade about the 2009 Munich show before and found it amusingly transparent.

A lot of what they are fiddling with is the future. There is no doubt.

This Goldmund situation is disturbing as I'm way out my element. Are any of you able to distill the function of these speakers? Maybe start with the device which transmits the left/right digital(?) output to the receiver on the speaker. Is this technology audiophile approved? So then there's a DAC in each speaker and, as I gather, a DSP crossover rather than hardware. Whew. Wow. This set-up would be a game changer. Aside from Goldmund, who else in the hi-end is pursuing it?

-Josh

Hi Josh.

A few companies are going in the direction of all in one solutions. Diavalet, Goldmund and Kyron come to mind. There are others that are just not coming to me right now. They must stand on their own feet in comparison to separate systems, and do with great success in many cases. To some, it's a step off of the upgrade train; no more cable obsessing, etc. To others, it's an inconceivable blasphemy. Listen, learn and decide. That's what I'm doing. You can't look at any part as an individual entity since it is designs as a whole system.

I am heading tomorrow to hear the Dynaudio Consequence Ultimate and the Avalon Isis. I also have finalized an in home audition of the T&F Isis and potentially the PMC MB2 SE. I'll keep you posted on those as more info becomes available.

Jh901,

Essentially correct.

The Goldmund speakers are all in one systems and can be driven just by a computerr with the transmitting dongle. The speakers have Telos amps, Dacs and wireless receivers built in and are already DSP matched between amps and speakers and uses active digital crossovers for perfect synergy. Speakers are completely designed via computers based on an Advanced modelling software called Proteus that is constantly being upgraded. Goldmund uses no human intervention is speaker design, its all computer modelled to exacting standards and they can predict the outcome perfectly.

You can also step up with a Goldmund digital Preamp, now called a "hub" and this can have DRC corrections built in and also works wired or wireless to the speakers. Apparently, wireless sounds BETTER! Only wires needed are the electric plugs to power each speaker and that can be hidden in the flooring/under carpets, etc.

Downside is that they are pricey, and the Metis Tower wireless costs $18K and have 5inch woofers. The 120db (SPL) Prologos is $70K!

Others doing similar stuff are the Kii Audio, Kii 3 from Bruno Putzey of Mola-Mola/N-Core/Grimm fame.€10K a pair. DSP up the wazoo and claimed bass response of 18hz!

You also have the Devialet Phantom (much lower end offering) the white and the silver for about $3-4.5K a pair. These are shaped like orbs. Not sure if the Linn Exakt speaker systems are fully equivalent to these.
No doubt the future is here, and a pal of mine sold everything save his "first born" to finance a pair of Prologos wireless and says he is DONE after 45 years of search. Selling/sold his vinyl and R2R collection!!!!