Swiss audio brand Goldmund unveils a preamplifier priced at $240,000

Swiss audio manufacturer Goldmund has introduced its flagship analog preamplifier, the Mimesis Statement, carrying a price tag of $240,000.

Design and Setup

Operating since 1978, Goldmund builds ultra-expensive audio equipment aimed at the super-rich. The Mimesis Statement splits its hardware across three separate chassis to protect the audio signal from electrical interference. The first box houses the pre-amplification electronics with buttons, dials, a mirrored-glass display, and balanced and unbalanced inputs. The other two boxes serve as external power supplies for the left and right stereo channels. The device features complete internal symmetry, voltage regulation stages, optimized heat dissipation, and a total harmonic distortion figure of 0.0002 percent.

Full System Cost

A preamplifier requires other components to function. During a recent listening session in Geneva, the Mimesis Statement was paired with Goldmund's Eidos network streamer priced at $27,000. It fed into a pair of Thelos 9800 power amplifiers costing $500,000 each, which weigh nearly 800 pounds apiece and deliver 1,560 watts per channel. The signal finally reached a pair of Theia Passive four-way floor-standing loudspeakers costing $215,000. The total system cost reached $1,482,000, excluding the price of cables.

Context

Ultra-luxury audio systems combine extreme engineering with status symbolism, much like high-end mechanical watches or fine jewelry. While the law of diminishing returns applies heavily to audio gear past a certain price point, manufacturers in this space sell exclusivity alongside artisanal craftsmanship and physical presence.