Cardas XLR Crosslink 2m

A symmetrical XLR interconnect cable that incorporates the American manufacturer’s in‑house technologies at a more accessible price point. The Crosslink is based on the patented “silent” conductor principle developed by George Cardas, where the copper strands are sized according to golden ratio proportions to control internal resonances. It is the only model in the Cardas range available as bulk cable by the meter for DIY builders, which speaks to its versatility.

Golden ratio in your audio connections

George Cardas holds two U.S. patents (4,980,517 and 4,628,151) for his golden‑section stranding technique. The principle: arrange copper strands whose diameters vary according to a 1:1.618 ratio, the famous golden ratio. The finest strands are located at the center of the conductor, with each subsequent layer increasing according to this proportion. This arrangement prevents the strands from entering into common resonance, since none shares a harmonic multiple with its neighbor.

The idea comes from an unexpected field. Before founding Cardas Audio in 1987 in Ontario, California, George worked as a line engineer for a telephone company while also competing in semi‑professional motor racing. Together with his machinist Mike Colver, he discovered that applying the golden ratio to intake and exhaust systems yielded such impressive results that some designs were banned from races. He then transposed this concept to audio conductors.

Crosslink construction and materials

The cable uses grade‑2 oxygen‑free copper with 99.99% purity. Each strand receives a transparent SPN insulating coating that characterizes Cardas’s Litz construction: this layer eliminates capacitive interactions between strands and prevents copper oxidation. The Crosslink totals 68 discrete strands arranged in a “Crossfield” geometry, where alternating layers minimize electromagnetic interference.

The twisted pair is held in place by a natural cotton filler, a material chosen for its stable dielectric properties. The assembly is wrapped in an FEP tape before being covered with a tinned copper spiral shield. The flexible PVC outer jacket gives the cable a final diameter of 7.69 mm.

In XLR configuration, measured capacitance reaches 22.8 pF per foot (around 74.8 pF/m), a moderate value that preserves high frequencies over reasonable lengths.

CE XLR connectors

The CE XLR plugs are the third generation of Cardas budget connectors. The body is machined from high‑copper brass, a non‑magnetic alloy. The contact surfaces receive a silver plating. These connectors accept cables from 3.3 to 9 mm in diameter, so the 7.69 mm Crosslink fits comfortably within this range.

The CE range now equips Cardas Crosslink, Iridium, Parsec, Sky, and Cygnus cables. Less elaborate than the CG XLR (which add rhodium plating and RF shielding at the ends), they offer a higher build quality than generic connectors without driving up the cost.

A clearly defined sonic character

Cardas describes the Crosslink as “warm and forgiving,” a warm and tolerant signature. In practice, this means a dense midrange, rounded highs, and a sense of weight in the lows rather than razor‑sharp definition. This sonic character can offset the hardness of some entry‑level digital players or systems with aggressive treble.

The flip side: on a system that is already full‑bodied or dark, the Crosslink may accentuate this tendency. According to Cardas, resolution remains detailed, but it would be unrealistic to expect the same level of transparency as the Clear or Parsec lines. The positioning is straightforward: this cable targets entry‑ to mid‑range hi‑fi and home theater systems.

Technical specifications

Connectivity

• Standard terminations: CE XLR
• Compatibility: stereo and home theater applications from entry- to mid-range

Conductors

• Grade 2 oxygen-free copper (99.99% purity)
• Transparent SPN coating (Litz technology)
• Cross-sections sized according to golden ratio proportions
• Multilayer cross-field geometry
• Insulation in a polyurethane sheath

Geometry and construction

• Twisted pair with natural cotton filler
• Assembly held together by FEP tape
• Spiral shielding in tinned copper
• Outer PVC jacket

Dimensions

• Gauge: 2 × 20.5 AWG
• Outer diameter: 7.69 mm

Sound performance

• Warm and forgiving sonic signature
• Detailed and musical reproduction