Cardas Clear Power 1.5m

The Cardas Clear Power mains cable is the result of over 25 years of research and development in the field of power cables. An evolution of the Golden Reference Power model, it features a construction aimed at delivering a neutral tonal balance, with an integrated filtering system designed to optimize dynamic management. Its large-gauge conductors (3 x 11.5 AWG) make it suitable for both high-consumption amplifiers and sensitive sources that require a stable, clean power supply.

Meticulous Physical Design Down to the Smallest Detail

The Clear Power stands out with its 15.49 mm outer diameter, a testament to the richness of its internal structure. At the heart of the cable, three multi-strand Litz OFC copper conductors of exceptional 99.9999% purity are arranged in a twisted triad—a geometry that naturally minimizes electromagnetic interference. Each 11.5 AWG conductor is made up of multiple copper strands whose diameters follow the golden ratio, a technique patented by George Cardas that limits micro-vibrational resonance phenomena.

The outer sheath, made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR), offers remarkable flexibility, greatly facilitating installation even in the tightest spaces. This flexibility is a pleasant contrast to the usual stiffness of large-diameter power cables. The Cardas Power connectors, entirely handmade in the workshops in Bandon, Oregon, feature solid copper blades and clips plated with a silver/rhodium combination, ensuring optimal conductivity while preventing long-term oxidation.

The double shielding, combining tinned copper and magnetic wire, creates a particularly effective barrier against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. This protection is complemented by a complex internal structure that includes air tubes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE), bound by a polytetrafluoroethylene (FEP) tape, thus creating controlled air spaces that optimize the cable’s dielectric properties.

Exclusive Technologies Serving Musicality

The multi-layer internal insulation is a technical tour de force. PFA (perfluoroalkoxy), a material with exceptional dielectric properties, wraps the conductors in a cross-field layer geometry. This architecture, combined with the PE air tubes and PTFE tape, minimizes dielectric losses while maintaining constant impedance along the entire length of the cable.

The constant quality factor (Q), achieved through the golden ratio-based geometry, ensures balanced transmission across the entire frequency spectrum. This mathematical approach to cable design, inspired by the natural proportions found in the nautilus spiral (the iconic Cardas logo), prevents the resonance peaks that typically color the signal.

The Clear Power’s integrated filtering system works passively yet highly effectively to eliminate high-frequency noise present on the power grid. Unlike active filters, which can sometimes compress dynamics, this approach preserves the full available current while cleaning the signal of unwanted interference. The result is a heightened background silence that reveals musical details previously masked.

Remarkable Versatility of Use

Clear Power demonstrates exceptional adaptability to different types of equipment. On high-power amplifiers, its generously sized conductors guarantee unrestricted current delivery, allowing output stages to reach their full dynamic potential during the most demanding musical passages. Transients gain in impact and definition, while the bass acquires greater authority and control.

With source components—CD players, DACs, preamplifiers—Clear Power reveals its finesse and ability to preserve micro-details. Instrument separation in the soundstage becomes more precise, vocals emerge with a palpable presence from the background, and sibilance loses its sometimes irritating edge, regaining striking naturalness. This dual character—both powerful and delicate—explains why this cable is equally suited to systems based on tube amplifiers and those using solid-state electronics.

Connectors are available in all international standards, including Schuko plugs for Europe and 20-amp IEC connectors for particularly power-hungry equipment. This configuration flexibility, combined with the option to order custom lengths, allows Clear Power to be tailored to the specific needs of any installation.

Technical Specifications

Connectivity

• Male plug: Schuko Europe
• Female plug: IEC rhodium-plated copper

Conductors

• Multi-strand Litz conductors in high-purity shielded copper
• Geometry based on the golden ratio, constant quality (Q) coefficient
• Conductor cross-section: 3 x 11.5 AWG
• 99.9999% OFC copper (grade 1)

Shielding and Insulation

• Double shielding:
  • Tinned copper
  • Magnetic wire
• Internal structure:
  • Twisted triad
  • Air tubes in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Bonding with polytetrafluoroethylene (FEP) tape
• Internal insulation: PFA, PE tubes, PTFE tape
• Flexible outer sheath in thermoplastic rubber (TPR)

Technical Specifications

• Cable type: high-end power cable
• Outer diameter: 15.49 mm
• Connectors: Cardas Power silver/rhodium plated
• Flexibility: ultra-flexible TPR sheath

Advanced Features

• Available with all international power plugs
• Hand-assembled in the United States
• High-precision Cardas soldering and crimping
• Design inspired by the Golden Reference Power cable
• Neutral tonal balance with integrated filtering for enhanced dynamics
• Design based on 25 years of Cardas research and development