Giuseppe
Excellent balance. Full and defined sound.
Comment from July 09, 2026 — Experience from May 31, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (Italian)
Ottimo equilibrio. Suono pieno e definito.
Cardas XLR Clear Reflection 1m
Overview
The entire Cardas range is based on the same proportion, the golden ratio (1.618), which even appears in the brand’s nautilus-shaped logo. In this cable, conductors of different gauges are arranged concentrically according to this proportion, and the air tubes in the outer layer are sized 1.618 times wider than those in the core. The goal is to reduce inductance and resonance effects that color the signal.
Two Cardas generations brought together in one cable
The name reveals the intent: Clear refers to the brand’s current range, Reflection to a return to its older models. The cable combines the transparency and resolution typical of the Clear series with the warmer, more organic signature of Cardas’s past references, such as Golden Reference. The brand aims for a balance between detailed playback and roundness, without pushing the cursor too far in either direction.
From in-house cast copper to Litz conductors
Cardas is one of the few manufacturers to cast its own copper, in its Bandon foundry. The cable uses grade 1 OFC copper, 99.9999% pure, coated with transparent SPN enamel in a Litz construction where each strand receives its own insulating coating. At the center, a Kevlar core manages synchronized propagation (Matched Propagation): the signal propagation speed in the conductor and in the dielectric is adjusted, strand by strand, with precise control of the twist pitch, to limit distortion linked to dielectric charge offsets. The selected gauge is 2 x 25.5 AWG.
How the shielding keeps the signal at a distance
The internal structure is a suspended air-core twisted pair, in a so-called cross-field geometry, where the conductive layers are crossed to reduce coupling. The conductors are held in place by antistatic LDPE air tubes, wrapped in carbon-impregnated PTFE tape. The two composite shields, in tinned copper and magnet wire, are deliberately kept away from the signal conductors by wider PTFE air tubes, which reduces stray dielectric charges. The whole assembly is insulated under an extruded PFA jacket, then covered with a very flexible black TPR outer jacket. The outer diameter reaches 10.66 mm.
The sonic character Cardas is aiming for
Cardas presents this cable as a gateway to the level of its high-end models, in real-world systems rather than on a test bench. The brand describes good extension in the upper spectrum and speed, with a slightly forgiving character that avoids harshness. The presentation is intended to be neutral and dynamic, against a very quiet sonic background. The soundstage is wide and three-dimensional; timbres remain rich and natural, without aggressiveness.
XLR connectors and flexible finish
The cable is terminated with Cardas’s in-house XLR connectors (reference CG XLR-CU), in a copper tone matched to the rest of the Clear Reflection range. Each example is hand-terminated in the Bandon workshop. The very flexible TPR jacket makes it easier to route behind a piece of furniture and connect to tightly spaced sockets. The cable covers most links between a source and an amplifier, or between a preamplifier and a power amp.
Technical Specifications
Core Technologies
- Golden Ratio geometry
- Conductors arranged according to the golden ratio (1.618)
- Spiral structure inspired by the nautilus (Cardas logo)
- Conductors of different cross-sections placed concentrically
- Reduction of inductance and resonance phenomena
- Matched Propagation
- Adjustment of the propagation speed of the conductor and the dielectric
- Use of concentric strands with individual coatings (Litz type)
- Control of twists (TPI) to harmonize electrical behavior
- Reduction of distortions related to dielectric charge displacement
Internal Architecture
- Geometry: cross-field layer
- Design: suspended air-core twisted pair
- Shielding: dual composite tin-plated copper shields, kept away from the signal conductors
- Conductors suspended by antistatic LDPE air tubes
- Carbon-impregnated PTFE tape
- Architecture designed to limit interference and dielectric charges
Materials
- Conductors: 99.9999% Grade 1 OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) copper
- Cross-section: 2 × 25.5 AWG
- Coating: SPN layer (transparent Litz)
- Central core: Kevlar with matched propagation
- Insulation: extruded PFA jacket
- Outer jacket: ultra-flexible black TPR
- Air tubes: PTFE sized according to the 1.618 ratio
Dimensions
- Outer diameter: 10.66 mm
Connectivity
- Terminations: XLR
Sound Objective and Positioning
- Sound combination
- Transparency and resolution of the Clear range
- Warmer, more organic signature of older Cardas models (Golden Reference type)
- Soundstage: wide and three-dimensional
- Timbre: rich, natural, non-aggressive
Frequently Asked Questions
What lengths are available for this cable?
Cardas offers the Clear Reflection in several lengths, including shorter formats (0.5 m, 0.75 m, 1 m), and makes it available in both XLR and RCA. Custom lengths remain possible from the manufacturer.
Does the cable require a break-in period?
Like most Cardas cables, it benefits from several dozen hours of use before delivering stable performance. The brand recommends a break-in period and offers a dedicated frequency disc to speed up the process.
What are the advantages of a balanced XLR connection over an RCA connection?
A balanced connection carries the signal over two conductors in opposite phase, allowing the receiving component to reject interference picked up along the way. The advantage becomes noticeable over longer distances or in an electrically noisy environment. The connected devices must still have genuinely balanced inputs and outputs.
Does the copper-plated connector affect contact quality?
The copper hue first complements the range’s black-and-copper aesthetic, but the connector remains a contact point in its own right. A clean, properly crimped contact affects signal transmission just as much as the conductor itself; keeping XLR pins clean remains a good habit.
Is this connection suitable for very low-level signals?
This is a line-level interconnect cable, used between a source, a preamplifier, and an amplifier. For a phono signal, which is much weaker and more delicate, a dedicated tonearm cable remains more suitable.
Does the 10.66 mm diameter make installation more difficult?
The cable is thicker than a basic entry-level interconnect, but its very flexible TPR jacket limits strain. It bends easily behind most furniture, provided you allow for a reasonable bend radius near the connectors.
User reviews
Pedro
The Cardas Clear Reflection XLR is one of those rare components that does not try to impress through spectacle, but rather through the naturalness and musical coherence it brings to a system.
What stands out most is its fluidity, harmonic richness, and complete absence of listening fatigue, while still preserving detail, soundstage, and musicality in a very organic way.
In a well-balanced system, it has the almost magical ability to make you forget the technical side of the equipment and simply enjoy the music for hours.
An extremely serious and musical cable.
Comment from May 08, 2026 — Experience from April 27, 2026
Jordan
The Cardas Clear Reflection XLR cable offers a very musical reproduction, with a sound that is both warm and detailed. The soundstage is wide and well-structured, which improves instrument separation and listening depth. The highs remain smooth and natural, without harshness, while the bass is full and well-controlled. The build quality is also excellent, true to Cardas’s expertise.
Comment from March 09, 2026 — Experience from February 23, 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (French)
Le câble XLR Cardas Clear Reflection offre une restitution très musicale, avec un son à la fois chaleureux et détaillé. La scène sonore est large et bien structurée, ce qui améliore la séparation des instruments et la profondeur de l’écoute. Les aigus restent doux et naturels, sans agressivité, tandis que le grave est plein et bien contrôlé. La qualité de fabrication est également excellente, fidèle au savoir-faire de Cardas.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
