By ArgentPur is a company that is fairly new to me as a long-time audiophile, and this review is the first time I had any of their products in my house. I will tell you I was just a bit skeptical, as I knew the company as a manufacturer of upscale silver cables rather than as a manufacturer of electronics. ArgentPur’s founder, Ernie Meunier, is an audiophile and music lover like many of us. Meunier wanted to improve the performance of his high-end loudspeakers by replacing the wiring with silver cabling of his own design. That eventually led to the start of ArgentPur in 2022 as a manufacturer and purveyor of silver audio system cables.
In his ongoing pursuit of audio excellence, Meunier decided to go beyond speakers when it came to modifying components. This ongoing quest to improve audio performance led to the development of ArgentPur’s first amplifier, the Monobloc, recently reviewed by Jerry Del Colliano. Meunier selected the highly-regarded Starkrimson Ultra Amp module and added his own touch to it. As you might have guessed already from the photos, the module is a Class-D amplifier. More specifically, it is a GaN-FET design. Just in case you have been out of touch with recent developments in Class-D amplifiers, or even USB chargers, GaN-FET transistors provide better thermal characteristics and high electron mobility path to lower loss in comparison to traditional MOSFET designs. In layman’s terms, the GaN-FET designs produce more power, in a smaller size with less heat waste.
What Makes the ArgentPur DUO Amplifier Special?
- The utilization of the GaN-FET amplifier module presents a solid, efficient platform to build from. This amplifier is based on the highly-regarded Orchard Audio Starkrimson ULTRA module, which provides 250 watts per channel into eight ohms and 500 watts into four ohms, and are stable all the way down to two ohms. With a slightly higher retail price, you are afforded some extra goodies in the performance and chassis department.
- ArgentPur makes significant improvements to this already rock-solid amplifier module, starting with the power supply. ArgentPur designer Meunier’s implementation of the amplifier modules is thoughtful, with the goal of maximizing performance. He starts with a custom switched-mode power supply rated at 800 watts continuous, 940 watts peak, with complementary twin rails and overload protection in a compact layout with optimized capacitance to eliminate “current-gulping.” Notably, the power supply has selectable voltage inputs to allow use in different countries. Ask any respected engineer in this space, and they will tell you that the power supply is the biggest factor in the performance of a Class-D amplifier, but they come at a cost as they get bigger and better.
- The ArgentPur DUO comes, as one might expect, with upgraded internal wiring. I know you probably already guessed that the company known for silver audiophile cables would have upgraded the wiring with silver cables, and you would be correct. All mains power supply, DC rails, single-ended and balanced inputs, and the outputs are wired with solid pure silver in Teflon air tubes, which Meunier states is important “to distinguish its pellucidity and Class-A matching holography.” I had to look up “pellucidity.” The definition includes the condition of being transparent. Other internal additions include Mundorf silver/gold/oil filter capacitors. Friends, these are not cheap parts by any means.
- The amplifier circuitry is installed in an extruded and cast solid aluminum chassis. The chassis was designed without magnetic metals to minimize any sonic impact. The chassis is damped, vented, and sits on nice Sorbothane footers to decouple the amplifier from whatever surface you place it on. The feet remind me of aftermarket footers found at many audio shows. Now would be a suitable time to tell you that the entire amplifier is a diminutive 9.25 inches wide by 13.25 inches deep by 4.25 inches tall and weighs in at a mere 13 pounds.
- The ArgentPur DUO’s chassis is clean and simple-looking. The brushed aluminum body has a simple silk-screened label on the front, and matte silver rounded corners. The body’s panels are thick and solid, giving the amplifier a well-built feel despite their light weight. The back panel has simple but effective pairs of single-ended and XLR inputs and binding posts for your speaker connections. (Perhaps by ArgentPur silver cabling?) The panel is finished off with an IEC 15 power connect under a small rocker switch for power.
- The ArgentPur DUO is very energy-efficient, despite generating significant power for your speakers. The DUO’s power consumption is rated at 22 watts. I can tell you that it never got more than mildly warm, even after playing music at moderately high levels for several hours. You can compare GaN-FET amps to Class-A amps (or even tubes) sonically, and that’s fair, but when it comes to dealing with issues like heat, size, weight and energy consumption, the GaN amp wins. They just are superior.
Why Should You Care About the ArgentPur DUO GaN Amplifier?
The world of Class-D amplification has reached point of being a highly valid competitor to traditional Class-A and Class-A/B amplification. The ArgentPur DUO builds upon one of the highly-regarded Class-D modules to deliver significant power and is stable to two ohms, making it compatible with nearly any speaker while using very little energy, all at a reasonable price.
The audiophile interested in an amp like the ArgentPur DUO likely had their “threshold moment,” meaning the idea of having a 400 pound amp parked on a chunk of granite between your speakers, likely in the past. The audiophile interested in the ArgentPur DUO is looking for that Class-A sound without the Class-A pain in the ass, but doesn’t really want an amp that looks like a DIY project, either. The ArgentPur DUO delivers on all these fronts and offers a little bit of upgraded look and performance for a little bit more money than the other brands in this exciting new category of audiophile components.
Some Things You Might Not Like About the ArgentPur DUO Amplifier
- The chassis is small. The small form factor, lack of front-mounted status light(s) and the power switch all caught my attention in my time with the ArgentPur DUO power amp. The small form factor means that these amps may look a little odd in your rack if the rest of your gear is full-width. On the other hand, if you have other small form factor gear, this could be a plus. I could normally see the red glow emanating from the top plate vents to determine if the amplifier was on, but a front-mounted status light would be easier. Lastly, I found the small rocker-style power switch on the back panel hard to engage when the amplifier was in a rack. Thankfully, the amplifier drew hardly any power, and I simply left it on.
Listening to the ArgentPur DUO Amplifier …
I connected the ArgentPur DUO amplifier to my Krell Phantom III preamplifier and my Marantz SACD 30n. The DUO was driving my Revel F328Be speakers. ArgentPur sent along some of their cabling, so I used ArgentPur power and speaker cables and a pair of their balanced cables between the preamplifier and amplifier. Upon opening the packaging, I noticed that the cables were thick and sheathed in attractive braided fabric jackets. While this may seem like an audiophile’s wet dream, my stomach dropped, as many cables can be heavy and difficult to work with. I was pleasantly surprised by the speaker and interconnect cables, which were light and flexible.
I wanted to start my listening with an old audiophile favorite, Jennifer Warnes’ “Bird on a Wire” (Tidal, Cypress), a track with a soundstage that many of us know well. Listening to this track through my Revel F328Be speakers powered by the ArgentPur DUO, I found the placements to be very well-rendered across a wide soundstage that extended beyond the outer edges of my speakers. The complex layering of the vocals was clearly rendered, with a relaxed, natural presentation. The triangles showed off the high-end capabilities as being clean and without any harshness. The drums were deep and clean, but not quite as impactful and full as what I was used to with my Krell amplifier.
I then played one of my favorite pieces for listening to drums, the live version of “Hotel California” from The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over album (Gefen, Qobuz). The drums kick in close to the beginning of the track with well-defined strikes. Both the leading edges and decay were detailed, making for a realistic reproduction. I kept playing this portion of the track over again, going back and forth between the ArgentPur and Krell, which were very similar. The most notable detail was that the drums through the ArgentPur seemed to be slightly less weighty. Don Henley’s voice was reproduced believably, with loads of detail and inflection, which anchored it in the front of the soundstage, with the guitars flanking and slightly behind him. This was nearly identical with both amplifiers.
Going full circle and ending with another track that features female vocals, I played “Rise “by Dominique Fils-Aimé (Ensoul Records, Qobuz). The ArgentPur DUO reproduced the powerful vocals with detail and ease that made it easy to close my eyes and picture Fils-Aimé standing in my room and belting out the track. As with “Bird on a Wire,” the vocals were cleanly layered over the background vocals and instruments. The positioning of the instruments was solidly placed on the soundstage, making for a realistic reproduction. Lastly, the drums were reproduced in a similar manner to “Hotel California,” with depth, speed and control.
Will the ArgentPur DUO Amplifier Hold Its Value?
I have some mixed feelings about retained value over time with the ArgentPur, but overall, my answer is yes. Class-D amplification and GaN-FET are categories rapidly growing in popularity if the inquiries we receive are any indicators of what listeners are looking to purchase. ArgentPur is one of the leaders in this area. However, ArgentPur is a relatively new and unknown company in the audio world. That said, Meunier is playing it smart with controlled growth. More importantly, the underlying module is not proprietary, and any of the better service shops should be able to work on it in the unlikely event that it becomes necessary.
What is the Competition for the ArgentPur DUO?
The first and most obvious competitor would be the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC 2.5 (starting at $4,249). This amplifier uses the same module, but without the silver cabling and other upgrades discussed above. The chassis is not as nice, but it does have a front panel power button and status light. There are also options for WBT binding posts and a 12-volt trigger in the event your system would benefit from that.
Buckeye Audio is another newer audio company that has developed a strong following in the audiophile world. While I have not had an opportunity to listen to their amplifiers myself, I understand from some trusted friends that their amplifiers provide solid performance with no frills. The amplifier in the Buckeye lineup (read our review of their monoblock amps) that would be the closest is their PURIFI 1ET6525SA two-channel amplifier, using the second-generation Eigentakt module, which starts at $1,150. This amplifier provides 230 watts into eight ohms, 450 watts into four ohms and 510 watts into two ohms. If your system only has single-ended connections, you will need an adapter, as this amplifier only comes with XLR inputs.
AGD Productions Tempo di GaN MKIII ($5,500 – read our review) is another GaN-FET-based amplifier in a smaller than standard-sized chassis. However, the AGD chassis is available in a jewel-like polished finish (for an extra $700) if you prefer a bit more eye candy in your system. The AGD amplifier module is unique, in that its designer was influenced by tubed systems and designed the power module to be upgradeable. The AGD amplifier is less powerful at 200 watts per channel into four ohms, which may be important if you have less efficient speakers. They also make a fake tube to try to show people that the amp is tube-like, which is kinda lame.
Final Thoughts on the ArgentPur DUO Amplifier …
If your priority is transparency, speed, dynamics, and tonal purity, the ArgentPur DUO merits serious consideration. Its fully silver signal path avoids the coloration often introduced by conventional circuitry. Pair that with GaN-FET amplification, and what you get is fast transients, microdetail, and soundstage realism that many Class-A amps chase, without the heat or bulk. However, if you are seeking the last word in bass extension and energy, I think a high-current, traditional Class-A/B amplifier might have the edge.
If you are an audio purist seeking an amplifier that disappears in the signal chain, revealing music rather than gear, the ArgentPur DUO makes a persuasive case. Modern in specification, timeless in presentation, this is one hell of an amp. For serious listeners in search of transparent dynamics and tonal integrity, you get the best of all worlds with little downside with the ArgentPur DUO Class-D GaN-FET power amp.
