Cardas Clear Reflection Power 1m
Overview
In the lineage of the Golden Reference, a classic fixture in the Cardas catalog since the late 1990s, this 1-meter power cable reprises the Oregon brand’s historic construction while incorporating the technical advances of the Clear line. Three very pure copper conductors, triaxial geometry, double shielding, E-5 connectors rhodium-plated over silver. A mid-to-upper-range model, tailored for medium- to high-power amplifiers as well as more sensitive source components.
Lineage with the Golden Reference
The Golden Reference remains one of the most enduring power cables in the Cardas catalog. The Clear Reflection Power takes up its construction philosophy and adds the techniques developed for the Clear line, introduced about fifteen years later. The result sits between the entry-level models (Iridium, Parsec, Cygnus, Sky) and the trio of Clear, Clear Beyond, and Clear Beyond XL that occupies the top of the catalog. An intermediate position, then, with serious construction but without the level of filtering found in the most expensive models.
Visually, the Reflection range abandons the light blue that long identified Cardas, in favor of a very dark gray jacket accented with copper-colored trim.
Litz copper conductors with golden ratio proportions
The three power conductors are made of high-purity oxygen-free copper (99.9999%, or 6N), in Cardas Litz Grade 1 configuration. Their cross-section reaches 4.17 mm² (11.5 AWG), a comfortable current capacity for powering demanding output stages.
A Cardas specialty: the strand diameter follows golden ratio proportions, a design principle applied by the brand since its beginnings to reduce the cable’s internal resonances. The successive conductor cross-sections maintain a 1.618 ratio, which avoids the coincidence of resonant modes at common frequencies.
Triaxial geometry and double shielding
The three conductors are arranged in a twisted triad, separated by polyethylene air tubes and held in place by PTFE tape. This triaxial configuration reduces mutual interference and preserves the bundle’s geometry during handling. Around this assembly, two layers of shielding filter electromagnetic disturbances: a first shield of tinned copper, then a second layer of magnet wire.
The internal insulation is based on PFA (perfluoroalkoxy), a fluoropolymer valued for its dielectric stability. The outer TPR (thermoplastic elastomer) jacket provides rare flexibility for this 15.49 mm diameter, a real plus for integration behind a crowded rack, where high-end power cables tend to behave like rigid pipes.
E-5 connectors with solid copper contacts
Both ends are fitted with Cardas E-5 connectors, made in-house. The blades and clips are solid copper, silver-plated and then rhodium-plated. This double plating improves surface conductivity and protects the contacts against tarnishing over time.
Each connector is both soldered and crimped onto the cable, an assembly carried out by hand in the Cardas workshops in Bandon, Oregon. On the equipment side, the standard termination is a C15 connector compliant with the IEC 60320 standard, compatible with the vast majority of audio electronics. A C19 version is available as an option for high-consumption devices equipped with this connector.
Which devices to connect to it
The 4.17 mm² cross-section per conductor covers the current needs of power amplifiers, mono blocks, and high-output integrated amplifiers. The construction remains neutral enough to suit digital or analog sources: digital-to-analog converter, network player, turntable with external power supply, phono preamplifier.
The 1-meter length matches a standard rack and allows for a neat installation, without excessive looping likely to pick up radiation. For setups where the components are farther from the wall outlet, the Clear Reflection Power is also available in 1.5-meter, 2-meter, and longer custom lengths.
Technical specifications
Conductors
- Three power conductors with a cross-section of 4.17 mm² (11.5 AWG)
- 99.999% high-purity oxygen-free copper
- Grade 1 quality Cardas Litz conductors
- Dimensions based on the golden ratio for optimal transmission
Construction and geometry
- Twisted triaxial configuration
- Polyethylene (PE) air insulation tubes
- Held in place with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape
- Optimized structure to minimize interference
- Outer diameter: 15.49 mm
Shielding
- Double protective shielding
- First layer in tinned copper
- Second layer in magnet wire
- Effective protection against electromagnetic interference
Insulation and jacket
- Internal insulation in perfluoroalkoxy (PFA)
- External jacket in thermoplastic rubber (TPR)
- Very high flexibility
- Excellent mechanical resistance
Connectors
- Connector type: IEC15 or IEC19 (optional)
- High-quality Cardas E-5 connectors
- Solid copper contacts
- Silver / rhodium plated for optimal conductivity
- Soldered and crimped for a perfect connection
Performance
- Exceptional power and dynamics
- Remarkable sonic clarity
- Superior audio performance under all operating conditions
- Excellent value for money for modern technology
General information
- High-performance power cable with Cardas Litz technology
- 99.999% pure copper conductors with proportions based on the golden ratio
- Double protective shielding in tinned copper and magnet wire
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the cable be broken in before it performs at its best?
Like all Cardas cables, the Clear Reflection Power requires a period of electrical stabilization before reaching its nominal operating condition. The brand recommends about one hundred hours of operation on a device that draws significant current. The first hours may produce a slightly compressed or dull presentation, which gradually opens up.
What is the difference versus the Clear Power just above it?
The Clear Power uses a more elaborate filtering structure, with more layers and a more advanced variation in twist pitch to cancel out-of-band disturbances. The Clear Reflection Power applies the same principles but with a simplified construction. The performance gap exists, especially on very high-end electronics, but the Reflection covers the essentials for the majority of systems.
What is the un-choked ground leg?
Cardas uses un-choked ground to refer to a ground conductor running directly from one end of the cable to the other, without being integrated into the twisted filtering structure. This configuration preserves low, stable ground impedance, an important point for safety and for the proper drainage of noise to ground.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
