Goldmund Telos 1800

Goldmund Telos 1800 Mono Power Amplifier

The Goldmund Telos 1800 is a Swiss-made mono power amplifier delivering 420 watts into 8 ohms through Goldmund's proprietary Telos® Class A/B amplification technology. As the most compact monoblock in Goldmund's current power amplifier lineup, it embodies decades of innovation in a form factor designed for high-end two-channel systems where space considerations matter without compromising performance.

Position in the Goldmund Lineup

The Telos 1800 occupies the position between the Telos 3300 and the Telos 1000 in Goldmund's mono power amplifier hierarchy, replacing the Telos 2500 NextGen. It sits well below the flagship Telos 8800 monoblocks (1,400 watts) and the Telos 4800 (1,050 watts), offering Goldmund's signature performance for systems that don't require extreme power output. For stereo applications, a pair of Telos 1800 amplifiers provides dedicated mono amplification for each channel, eliminating crosstalk and delivering the benefits of separate power supplies for left and right channels.

Telos® Amplification Technology

At the heart of the Telos 1800 lies Goldmund's proprietary Telos® amplification technology, first introduced in the 1990s and continuously refined through dedicated research. This breakthrough technology, exclusive to Goldmund, employs a precisely engineered Class A/B circuit that merges analog purity with high-bandwidth architecture. The design delivers ultra-low distortion and uncompromising accuracy, with THD+N and IMD figures both measuring below 0.05%.

Driver Control and Bass Precision

Telos® amplifiers deliver pure power with absolute precision, ensuring the audio signal remains pristine. The technology excels at proper driver control, eliminating distortion and unwanted artifacts, particularly at low frequencies where excessive woofer motion can introduce unwanted vibrations. A sophisticated output impedance reduction system enhances micro-dynamics, controls excessive woofer overshoot under high power conditions, and removes unnatural bass bloom. The 600 damping factor at 1kHz into 8 ohms ensures the amplifier maintains firm control over connected loudspeakers.

Redesigned Power Supply

Surpassing its predecessor, the Telos 2500 NextGen, the Telos 1800 features a completely redesigned power supply with custom power capacitor banks. Engineered to Goldmund's rigorous standards, these capacitors enhance efficiency, increase power output, and provide greater energy reserves. The resin-coated transformers minimize both mechanical and electronic vibrations. This robust power supply architecture enables seamless dynamic transitions, ensuring that rapid volume shifts occur with absolute precision, free of distortion or saturation.

Performance Specifications

The Telos 1800 achieves exceptional measured performance: an output noise floor below 3 microvolts across the entire audio range ensures pristine signal quality even during the quietest passages. The 110dB dynamic range captures both subtle musical details and powerful crescendos without compression. Despite its impressive 420-watt output capability, the amplifier delivers flawless performance from the first watt, whether playing a soft piano passage or a full-scale orchestral climax, the sound remains dynamic, detailed, and distortion-free.

Real-World Performance

Goldmund emphasizes that many amplifiers perform well under laboratory conditions with resistive loads but struggle when driving real-world passive loudspeakers with complex impedance curves. The Telos 1800's engineering goes beyond theoretical benchmarks, ensuring seamless performance in actual listening scenarios. By refining every stage of amplification, isolating high and low-current circuits, and preventing feedback and interference, the amplifier renders every note with clarity exactly as the artist intended.

Connectivity

The rear panel provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, allowing connection to virtually any high-end preamplifier. Digital RCA input and output connectors enable integration with Goldmund's digital processors. Speaker connections include two binding posts and a Goldmund 4B proprietary connector. An RS232 command connector enables system integration and remote control, while an AC earth binding post addresses grounding requirements in complex installations.

Chassis Design and Construction

The Telos 1800 embodies the fusion of high-end technology and aesthetic sophistication. The seamless aluminum chassis is sculpted from a single block of micro-blasted aluminum, creating a joint-free enclosure that combines strength with visual grace. The panel structure has been upgraded to 12mm thickness (up from 6-8mm in previous generations), significantly improving enclosure rigidity, mechanical grounding, and vibration dispersion capabilities.

Electromagnetic Shielding

The solid aluminum housing acts as a natural Faraday cage against electromagnetic interference, ensuring a pure signal path free from external noise contamination. This is particularly important in systems where the amplifiers may be positioned near other electronic equipment or in environments with significant electromagnetic activity.

Thermal Management

The chassis integrates thick aluminum panels and a robust radiator structure that serves as a highly efficient passive heat sink. This design achieves silent cooling without fans or other active cooling mechanisms that could introduce noise or vibration into the system.

Mechanical Grounding™

The Telos 1800 incorporates Goldmund's Conic Feet technology, a crucial element of their Mechanical Grounding™ system. These precision-engineered feet channel vibrations into the ground, preventing resonance buildup within the chassis that could otherwise color the sound. Combined with the heavyweight, resin-coated transformers, this approach ensures stability while minimizing mechanical and electronic vibrations.

Quality Control and Craftsmanship

Each Telos 1800 represents Goldmund's commitment to artisanal excellence. Every internal component is individually tested for peak performance before assembly. Each completed unit undergoes final testing to meet Goldmund's uncompromising standards. The amplifiers are designed, assembled, and meticulously configured by hand in Switzerland by a team of skilled engineers and artisans, representing over 45 years of expertise in high-end audio.

Finish Options

The Telos 1800 is available in Goldmund's signature silver gray finish, with gently undulating sides that echo the brand's evolving design language. A black finish is available upon request. The accent ring on the top left of the front panel can be specified in either silver gray or gold, allowing personalization to match existing systems or aesthetic preferences.

Summary

The Goldmund Telos 1800 represents more than an audio component; it is a statement piece combining engineering excellence with artisanal craftsmanship. As the most compact mono power amplifier in Goldmund's lineup, it offers the brand's signature clarity, power, and precision in a form factor suitable for discerning audiophiles who demand exceptional performance. With its Telos® technology, redesigned power supply, premium construction, and meticulous Swiss manufacturing, the Telos 1800 delivers an uncompromising listening experience for those who accept nothing less than the best.