We're excited to share the Rhythm products that won The Absolute Sound (TAS) Editors' Choice Award for 2025: two from Goldmund and three from Luxman. Here is what TAS and its reviewers said about each.
Goldmund Telos 800 stereo power amplifier
Alan Taffel reviewed the 300Wpc (watts per channel) Telos 800 in Issue 357. "This amp is no mere incremental improvement over less expensive—though still costly—amplifiers," he wrote. "To my ears it represents a sea change in sonic capability, delivering a presentation that makes music more engrossing, enlightening, realistic and awe-inspiring, not to mention fun." And then the line every manufacturer hopes to read: "If I could afford it, I would. As it stands, I'm not sure how I'm going to live without it."
Read the Telos 800 review (PDF)
Goldmund PH3.8 Nextgen phonostage
Jonathan Valin reviewed the PH3.8 Nextgen in Issue 312. Goldmund's original PH3 phonostage came out in 1995, and the PH3.8 Nextgen is a two-chassis design with a separate external power supply. "The PH3.8 Nextgen doesn't just deliver lifelike speed and impact," the award says; "it also, and simultaneously, gives you the color, texture, and action of instruments and vocals. A genuine contender for the laurels."
Luxman D-07X CD/SACD player and DAC
Paul Seydor reviewed the D-07X CD (Compact Disc) and SACD (Super Audio CD) player and DAC (digital-to-analog converter) in Issue 352. "Think of 07X as a scaled-down 10X instead of a hot-rodded 03X," he advised, and he found that it "does not, however, fall short when it comes to power, slam, dynamics, and the like." His conclusion: "It's a really great design and as persuasive an ambassador as could be desired for the continuing viability of the compact disc, the Super Audio Compact Disc, and MQA discs as music reproducing formats."
Luxman D-10X CD/SACD player and DAC
Seydor also reviewed the flagship D-10X, in Issue 317. "Excepting Blu-ray audio, the D-10X will play virtually any audio-only two-channel or hybrid disc on the planet," he wrote, and it "easily revealed itself to be a worthy contender in the arena of no-holds-barred luxury digital players."
Luxman PD-191A turntable
The PD-191A is Luxman's belt-drive, three-speed flagship turntable, paired with its LTA-710 tonearm, and a substantial upgrade of the PD-171A before it. Seydor reviewed it for TAS: "The 191A just radiates class and quality throughout, while in day-to-day use it's one of the most completely pleasurable record-playing components in my five decades as an audiophile." He also found its reproduction "exceptionally clean, unperturbed, and quiet, with deep black backgrounds."
Hear them for yourself
Explore Goldmund and Luxman at Rhythm, and find a Rhythm dealer to hear any of the five.
