Review: Argent Audio Pursang Interconnect

Category: Cables

Please let me begin by saying that my listening room dimensions are 30' x 18', with a high beam ceiling. I prefer a cable that can deliver superb tonal balance or balance frequency response from top to bottom. Because of my listening room size and the fact that I am using a dynamic speaker, I greatly favor a wide and deep soundstage with a detailed and holographic presentation. Of course, dynamic range is an important issue too with my personal preference for big band music (Ellington, Basie, and so forth), however personal and intimate vocal recording artists are favored during late evening listening sessions. Finding a cable that can play uncompressed or without the digital brightness and hardness is equally important, big band dynamics and strong vocal performances often stretch the limits or range of a speaker. Truly, I find enjoyment when music flows with ease, effortless, and uncompressed.

I have tried many different interconnect cables throughout the years, some have been quite good while others were not so favorable. Besides the similar products that I have listed, I have also heard or auditioned many other interconnect cables ranging in price from $200 to $4,500 per meter. I have purposely avoided mentioning which cables are my least favorite, although after using copper cables for years, I must confess my current preference for silver cables when designed and built correctly. There are those audiophiles who claim silver cables are often bright or harsh, I am not one of those who share those beliefs because the cables I am using defy their belief.

About 18 months ago, I was using the Nordost Quattro Fil interconnect cable, which I still believe is an excellent cable. Reluctantly, I succumbed to purchasing the very first Jaden Standard RCA Interconnects sold by the designer, Ric Cummins from Argent Audio. I do not have deep pockets nor did I want to throw more money down the drain buying another cable which I hadn't heard. Yes, I too have spent my fair share of money buying cables that others tout are good, but their performance was less than expected, leaving me cables that I could not sell knowing others might be equally disappointed.

I originally contacted Ric Cummins for cable suggestions for a personal friend. Ric was not commercially selling his cables at the time, but he had made a few for shows because he was not satisfied with other products. I suppose that I purchased Ric's cables because I had the guilty conscience of buying used speakers that he designed, Rosinante Dulcinea, from a private seller. I, and a few friends, were impressed by his speakers' performance at The Home Entertainment Show at the Tuscany Hotel in Las Vegas in January 2001. I eventually crossed my fingers that his cables were good because I knew that Ric's cables were unknown in the retail market and nobody in his or her right mind would buy these cables from me.

Surprisingly, I preferred the Jaden Standard Interconnects over the well regarded Nordost Quattro Fil, and so did a very good buddy of mine who replaced his Silver Audio Appassionata Interconnects. Shortly thereafter, another close audiophile friend replaced his Nordost Valhalla for the newer design, the Jaden Signature Interconnect. For those who are curious, the Jaden cable was named after Ric's grandson.

The Jaden line was quite impressive, with a superb tonal balance quality, wide and deep soundstage, and very musically detail. I quickly discovered that my system was tipped from mid to high after employing the Jaden cables in my system.

About seven months ago, Ric sent me his latest interconnect cable, the "Pursang," which had the same qualities of his earlier designed Jaden Signature series, but even better tonal balance. More specifically, the Pursang cables have a superior cutting through quality that allowed me to play my audio system at a lower volume level with greater satisfaction (this is important to me and my family because I do not have a dedicated listening room). The Pursang cable has more extension from top to bottom, and specifically greater detail and a better dynamic range, although his Jaden cable line will deliver high end performance. With the Pursang cable, I am able to see more into the soundstage, a very holographic experience.

Lastly, I am presently auditioning the Pursang Plus speaker cables, which I plan to write a review in the near future.

I am extremely happy for Ric that he has developed a strong following for his cables. This was not an easy feat, especially since his cables were unknown 18 months ago. In my opinion, if you are looking for a high performance cable that is competitively priced, the Jaden Signature or Pursang cables are a consideration. I know many audiophiles with lavishly expensive systems who favor Ric's hand-made cables, which are light and easy to use, unlike some other cables in the market today that are heavy and rigid.

There are still many audiophiles who do not realize that Ric Cummins is the designer of the Room Lens and Dark Matter Platforms. Ric may be contacted through his website: www.roomlens.com

Associated gear
Esoteric DV-50 Universal Player
Audio Logic 2400 DAC
David Berning ZH-270 Amplifier
REL Stentor Subwoofer
Rosinante Dulcinea Speakers

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