Cardas RCA Clear 1m

The Cardas Clear is an RCA interconnect cable designed in the United States, representing the most advanced model in the range. It is aimed at demanding audiophiles as well as studio-grade playback systems. Praised for its tonal neutrality and transparency, the Clear is designed to transmit the signal without addition or emphasis, allowing the unique characteristics of each component in the audio chain to shine through.

Golden Ratio Technology: A Unique Scientific Approach

The Cardas Clear is based on a remarkable technical innovation: the application of the golden ratio (1.618) to the geometry of the conductors. This mathematical approach, inspired by natural proportions, precisely determines the calibration and arrangement of the ultra-fine Litz wires. The thinnest conductors occupy the center of the cable, while the section gradually increases toward the periphery according to this golden proportion, creating a harmonic structure that naturally minimizes inductance and unwanted resonance phenomena.

This equilateral triad geometry (3 conductors), combined with “Matched Propagation” technology, ensures perfect temporal alignment of signals, thus preserving the integrity of even the subtlest transients. The result is faithful reproduction of micro-details and remarkable temporal coherence across the entire audible spectrum.

Premium Construction and Exceptional Materials

The Clear’s outstanding quality begins with its constituent materials. The copper used boasts 99.9999% purity (grade 1), a level of refinement rarely seen in the industry. Each conductor features a Kevlar core for mechanical stability and an SPN (Special Polish Nitrogen) coating that optimizes surface conductivity.

The dielectric insulation cleverly alternates PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) tubes and air chambers, a design that minimizes dielectric losses while maintaining stable geometry. The composite shielding combines tinned copper and magnetic wire, suspended from the signal conductors to avoid any mechanical contamination. This sophisticated architecture gives the Clear exceptional EMI/RFI rejection, which is crucial in our electronics-saturated environments.

The proprietary SRCA connectors deserve special mention. Their contacts, made from a eutectic alloy (non-magnetic brass), are plated with silver and rhodium—two metals with outstanding conductive properties. Cold crimping preserves metallurgical integrity by avoiding the thermal alterations of traditional soldering.

Sound Signature: Neutrality as a Reference

The Clear offers a radically different sonic approach from traditional cables. Rather than imposing a particular coloration, it faithfully reveals the signature of your audio system. This absolute neutrality, far from being bland, unveils a harmonic richness and spatial precision often masked by more characterful cables.

Professional tests unanimously highlight this unique capability: “The Clear is so transparent and leaves so little of its own imprint on the sound that it can be used almost universally.” This transparency is accompanied by a notable widening of the soundstage and improved definition of spatial layers. The bass gains in control and extension, the midrange reveals its most subtle nuances, while the highs retain their naturalness without harshness.

Positioning in the Cardas Ecosystem

The Clear crowns the current Cardas interconnect range, succeeding the legendary Golden Cross and Golden Reference. This evolution builds on the brand’s technical heritage while integrating the latest advances in materials and geometry. The Clear Sky, an entry-level variant, partially democratizes this Golden Ratio technology.

This hierarchy allows for progressive upgrades from the lower series, with each level bringing its own sonic characteristics. The Clear, at the top of this pyramid, is intended for the most revealing systems and the most demanding audiophiles, justifying its premium price positioning with absolute reference performance.

Technical Specifications

Conductors and Construction

• Material: ultra-fine, grade 1 oxygen-free copper, 99.9999% purity
• Core: Kevlar-adapted propagation core
• Gauge: sized according to the golden ratio, from 41 AWG to 39 AWG

Geometry and Structure

• Geometry: equilateral triad (3 conductors)
• Dielectric: ultra-thin extruded PTFE
• Internal structure: antistatic LDPE air tubes bound with carbon-impregnated PTFE tape
• Outer air tubes: PTFE, sized at 1.618× the diameter of the central tube
• Shielding: composite shielding of tinned copper and magnetic wire, suspended from the signal conductors
• Outer jacket: ultra-flexible extruded TPR

Electrical Design

• Cross-field layer geometry
• Propagation design optimized for time alignment
• Low capacitance and high EMI/RFI rejection

Physical Dimensions

• Gauge: 3 × 25.5 AWG
• Outer diameter: 11.43 mm

Key Features

• Completely neutral tonal balance
• High resolution with excellent micro-detail retrieval
• Wide dynamic range and fast transient response
• Uncolored musical presentation
• Optimized for reference audio systems