Cardas XLR Clear Reflection 1.5m

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 aim is to reduce inductance and resonance effects that color the signal.

Two Cardas generations brought together in one cable

The name says it all: 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 past Cardas references, such as Golden Reference. The brand is aiming for a balance between detailed playback and roundness, without pushing too far in either direction.

From in-house cast copper to Litz conductors

Cardas is one of the rare manufacturers that casts its own copper, in its Bandon foundry. The cable uses grade 1 OFC copper, 99.9999% pure, coated with a 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 chosen 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 a 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 sound 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 connectivity and flexible finish

The cable is terminated with Cardas in-house XLR connectors (reference CG XLR-CU), with a coppery hue matching 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 furniture and connect to tight sockets. The cable covers most connections between a source and an amplifier, or between a preamplifier and a power amplifier.

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 gauges placed concentrically
  • Reduction of inductance and resonance phenomena
• Matched Propagation
  • Adjustment of the propagation velocity of the conductor and the dielectric
  • Use of concentric strands with individual coatings (Litz type)
  • Twist control (TPI) to harmonize electrical behavior
  • Reduction of distortion related to dielectric charge displacement

Internal Architecture

• Geometry: cross-field layer
• Design: suspended air-core twisted pair
• Shielding: dual composite tinned 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
• Gauge: 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

Sonic Objective and Positioning

• Sonic 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