The September issue of US-based audio magazine The Absolute Sound is out now, revealing winners of the Golden Ear Awards for 2017. Published annually, the Awards give The Absolute Sound’s staff and freelance writers the opportunity to choose those components that are “truly great” and “that stand out from the competition”.

Among the worthy winners in 2017 are Gamut Audio’s M250i mono power amp and DS Audio’s DS 002 optical phono cartridge.

For the Gamut M250i, selected by reviewer Kirk Midtskog, it’s the fourth such win in a row.

“The M250i has the soul of an impeccably balanced tube amplifier and the heart of a higher-powered solid-state amp,” writes Midtskog. “In its winning combination of tube-like liquidity, bloom and musicality coupled with solid-state grip, tonal neutrality, and operational consistency, the M250i holds its own… I was so bewitched that I bought the review samples.”

Fellow reviewer Jonathan Valin, meanwhile, selects DS Audio’s DS 002 optical cartridge with DS 002 equalizer 
as one of his three winners.

It “offers a directness of presentation that sets it apart from any other cartridge JV has used,” notes the magazine and is “the most lifelike cartridge 
[he] has had in his system”.

Hearty congratulations to both Gamut and DS Audio.

For full details of the awards, pick up a copy of the September 2017 issue (#275) of The Absolute Sound at www.theabsolutesound.com

Discover more about Gamut’s M250i mono power amplifier and DS Audio’s DS 002 optical phono cartridge.

To locate your nearest Gamut or DS Audio dealer, contact UK distributor Sound Fowndations.