Cardas Clear Reflection Power 3m
Overview
The Cardas Clear Reflection Power is a power cable designed by the American brand Cardas Audio. Its purpose is to provide stable and clean power to audio and video equipment. The result of a rigorous technical approach, it combines carefully selected materials and a refined geometry to ensure efficient electrical transmission while limiting interference that could affect device performance.
Cardas Technology: The Alliance of Expertise and Science
Cardas Audio’s reputation is built on two major technological pillars, both present in the Clear Reflection Power. The first is Cardas Litz technology, which involves using multiple individually insulated copper strands instead of a solid conductor. This approach significantly reduces the skin effect, a phenomenon that forces current to flow mainly on the surface of conductors at high frequencies, thereby limiting the effective bandwidth.
The second, more surprising pillar is the application of the golden ratio (approximately 1.618) in the design of the conductors. George Cardas, the brand’s founder, developed this unique approach where the dimensions and proportions of the conductors follow this mathematical ratio. This particular geometry helps minimize unwanted mechanical and electrical resonances, resulting in a more natural and harmonious transmission of the electrical signal.
The three 4.17 mm² (11.5 AWG) power conductors are made from exceptionally pure 99.999% oxygen-free copper. This level of copper purity, nearly impossible to surpass, ensures optimal conductivity and minimal coloration of the electrical signal.
Sophisticated Architecture for Uncompromising Performance
The construction of the Clear Reflection Power reflects meticulous attention to detail. Its twisted triaxial configuration is much more than a simple arrangement of conductors. The three main conductors are first individually insulated in polyethylene tubes, creating an air dielectric—a material renowned for its excellent insulating properties and low capacitance.
The assembly is held together by a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape, a material with exceptional dielectric properties, resistant to extreme temperatures and chemically inert. This complex structure is no accident: it is designed to optimize conductor geometry to minimize mutual interference and reduce susceptibility to external electromagnetic fields.
The internal insulation made of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) provides additional protection while maintaining excellent dielectric characteristics. The outer sheath, made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR), gives the cable remarkable flexibility despite its substantial 15.49 mm diameter, making installation easier even in complex setups.
Dual Shielding for Optimal Protection
In today’s modern home environment, saturated with electromagnetic waves, the quality of a power cable’s shielding becomes crucial. The Clear Reflection Power stands out with its particularly sophisticated dual shielding system.
The first shielding layer, made of tinned copper, offers excellent protection against high-frequency electromagnetic interference. Tinning the copper prevents oxidation while maintaining optimal conductivity, thus ensuring long-term performance.
The second layer, made of magnetic wire, is a less conventional but highly effective approach. This material absorbs low-frequency magnetic interference, often generated by transformers and switching power supplies found in home environments. This comprehensive protection against the full spectrum of interference creates an “electrical silence” that reveals micro-level sonic details.
A Tangible Sonic Impact on Your Audio System
The influence of a quality power cable on an audio system’s performance is sometimes debated. Yet, the underlying physical principles are well established: any electronic device can only operate with the energy it receives. If this power supply is polluted by noise or interference, these will inevitably affect the device’s operation.
The Clear Reflection Power excels in three key areas. First, it improves system dynamics by enabling more efficient and faster current delivery during demand peaks. This results in more precise transient reproduction and a greater sense of “punch” during complex musical passages.
Second, it helps lower the electronic noise floor, allowing micro-level sonic details that are usually masked to emerge. The listener perceives increased clarity and better definition of instrumental timbres.
Finally, the stability of the supplied power enables more precise stereo imaging and better separation of sound layers, creating a more convincing three-dimensional soundstage.
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
- Air insulation tubes in polyethylene (PE)
- 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
- 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 in 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
Can a power cable really improve the sound quality of an audio system?
Absolutely. The power supply is the foundation upon which the entire operation of an audio device rests. A quality power cable like the Clear Reflection Power reduces electromagnetic interference, stabilizes current, and allows for faster energy transfers during demand peaks. These improvements result in better dynamics, reduced background noise, and more faithful reproduction of instrumental timbres.
What is special about Cardas Litz technology?
Cardas Litz technology uses multiple individually insulated copper strands instead of a solid conductor. This approach combats the skin effect, a phenomenon that forces current to flow mainly on the surface of conductors at high frequencies. By distributing the current across multiple small conductors, you achieve better transmission across the entire bandwidth. Cardas takes this concept further by sizing these strands according to the golden ratio to minimize resonances.
Why is using 99.999% pure copper important?
This exceptional purity, also known as “5N” (five nines), ensures optimal conductivity and minimal signal coloration. Impurities in copper create micro-resistances that disrupt electrical flow and can generate distortion. At 99.999% purity, these effects are virtually eliminated, allowing for more faithful transmission of electrical current.
Does this cable require a break-in period?
Yes, like most high-quality audiophile cables. The dielectrics and conductors of the Clear Reflection Power benefit from an adaptation period of about 100 hours of use before reaching optimal performance. During this time, you’ll notice a gradual opening of the sound, improved definition, and a more refined soundstage.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
