Free Shipping on US orders above $49
What You Need to Know
What Is This Cable and What Does It Do?
This is an aftermarket power cable. It replaces the cord that came in the box with your gear. Its job is to send clean, steady AC power from your wall outlet to your audio component. Clear Reflection sits in the upper-middle of the Cardas line.
The Cardas power line runs from low to high: Iridium, Parsec, Clear Cygnus, Clear Reflection, Clear, Clear Beyond, and Clear Beyond XL. Clear Reflection has a slightly warmer voice than the standard Clear, while keeping high-end performance.
What's Different About This One?
Clear Reflection is hand-built in Bandon, Oregon. George Cardas started the company in 1987. He used to work as a phone-line engineer. He holds three U.S. patents on cable design. His daughter Angela runs the company today.
The Reflection line takes ideas from the famous Cardas Golden Reference cables of the past. The cable wears a darker grey jacket instead of the bright blue of the rest of the Clear line. This is how you can tell it apart on sight.
Clear Reflection uses three 11.5-gauge copper wires. AWG means American Wire Gauge. A lower number means a thicker wire. Thicker wires can carry more power. Each wire is "litz" — many fine strands, each with its own coating to keep them apart. The wires are pure 99.9999% Cardas copper.
The wires use Cardas Matched Propagation. This is a patented method (US Patent 7,674,973). Cardas mixes strand sizes to lower internal noise. The strand sizes follow the Golden Ratio (1:1.618). Both ideas come from George Cardas's patents.
Clear Reflection has two layers of shielding. The ground wire runs straight end to end with no choke. This is a Cardas design choice for a more open sound. The cable is ideal for medium to large power amps, but works on most gear.
Where Does This Cable Belong in Your System?
Clear Reflection works on a wide range of audio gear. It's a strong fit for high-end systems where you want a slightly warmer voice.
- Good fit: Medium to large power amps, integrated amps, DACs, streamers, preamps, phono stages, and CD players. Use it on the gear that matters most to you first.
- Not a fit: Very large monoblocks or high-current amps that need a 20-amp plug. Step up to Clear, Clear Beyond, or Clear Beyond XL for those.
Length: Use the shortest cable that will reach. Measure the real path the cable will take, not a straight line. Add a foot of slack. Shorter is better.
Hand-Built and Backed for Life
Every Clear Reflection is built by hand in Bandon, Oregon. It comes with a Cardas lifetime warranty. Cardas can also re-end the cable if your system changes. They can swap connectors or change the length. Call us at 800-942-0220 for current re-termination pricing.
What the Reviewers Are Saying
HiFi+ — Alan Sircom, January 2021
A big soundstage backed by detail and no harsh boosts or cuts. Sircom called it temporally honest — "neither a slave to the rhythm nor paying lip-service to the beat." — HiFi+, Jan 2021
Pairs Well With
Building your system? Here are some good companions:
- Step up: Cardas Clear Power is the next step. Same wire size with more filtering and a more neutral voice.
- Step down: Cardas Parsec Power is a great choice for source gear and smaller systems.
- Match the family: Pair with Cardas Clear Reflection Interconnect and Clear Reflection Speaker Cable for a full Clear Reflection loom.
- Top of the line: For your largest power amp, step up to Clear Beyond or Clear Beyond XL.
- Gear that benefits: Browse integrated amps, power amps, and streamers.
Features & Specifications
Three 11.5 AWG Conductors — Heavier wires than Iridium or Parsec. Built for medium to large power amps and the rest of your high-end system.
Cardas Grade 1 Ultra Pure 99.9999% OFC Copper — The same copper Cardas sells to other top brands and to science labs.
Matched Propagation Conductors — Cardas patented method (US Patent 7,674,973) that mixes strand sizes to lower internal noise.
Litz Construction with Golden Ratio Strands — Many fine insulated strands per wire, sized to the Golden Ratio. A patented Cardas method.
Double Shielding with Un-Choked Ground — Two layers of shielding. The ground wire runs straight end to end. This is a Cardas design choice for a more open sound.
PE Air Tubes and PTFE Tape — Polyethylene air tubes lift the wires apart. PTFE tape is the same plastic family as Teflon. Both help signal stability.
Cardas E-5 Connectors — Pure copper plated with silver, then rhodium. The shells are metal with anti-resonant inner shells. Includes Cardas's filter ring at the IEC end for extra noise rejection.
Hand-Terminated in Bandon, Oregon — Every cable is built and tested at the Cardas factory.
Flexible TPR Jacket — Soft, dark grey jacket. The Reflection line wears its own color so it's easy to tell apart from the rest of the Clear range.
Lifetime Warranty — Cardas backs every cable for life.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Conductor | Cardas Grade 1 Ultra Pure 99.9999% OFC, 3 × 11.5 AWG, litz |
| Conductor Design | Matched Propagation (US Patent 7,674,973), Golden Ratio strand sizing, Crossfield layer geometry |
| Dielectric | PE air tubes plus PTFE tape wrap |
| Shielding | Double shielded, un-choked ground leg |
| Outer Diameter | 0.610" / 15.49mm |
| Connectors | NEMA 5-15P to IEC C13; Cardas E-5, rhodium over silver over solid copper |
| Termination | Hand-soldered and crimped in Bandon, Oregon |
| Jacket | Flexible dark grey TPR rubber |
| Available Lengths | Multiple lengths — see selector above |
| Warranty | Cardas Audio lifetime warranty |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Clear Reflection different from Clear?
Both use three 11.5 AWG wires. Clear Reflection takes ideas from the older Cardas Golden Reference cables. It has a slightly warmer voice. Clear is more neutral. Pick Reflection for a smoother sound, Clear for a more revealing one.
Is Clear Reflection a good fit for my power amp?
Yes, for medium to large power amps and integrated amps. For very large monoblocks or amps that pull big current peaks, step up to Clear Beyond or Clear Beyond XL. Their thicker wires handle high-current loads better.
What is "Matched Propagation"?
It's a Cardas patented method (US Patent 7,674,973). They mix strand sizes inside each wire so different parts of the audio signal travel at the same speed. This lowers internal noise.
What length do I need?
Use the shortest cable that will reach. Measure the real path the cable will take. Add a foot of slack. Shorter is better.
Will it fit my outlet?
Yes. Clear Reflection uses a 15-amp NEMA 5-15P wall plug and a 15-amp IEC C13 plug. It fits any standard U.S. household outlet and most audio components.
Can Cardas re-end this cable?
Yes. Cardas offers re-termination service. They can change the connector, the wall plug, or the length. Pricing varies. Call us at 800-942-0220 for a quote, or contact Cardas direct.
What's the warranty?
Cardas backs every cable they make for life. If anything ever goes wrong with the cable itself, they'll fix or replace it.
Why Buy From Audio Advisor
? 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
? 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, make sure it's right.
? Real Experts, Real Help — Call us at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
? Free Shipping — On orders over $49, to your door.
? Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.
Want to learn more about power cables? Visit our Audio Advisor Learning Center for guides and expert advice.
