Cardas Audio Clear Cygnus Tonearm Cable - 1.25 Meter - RCA'S to RCA's

Clear Cygnus at 1.25 Meters, RCA to RCA

This is Cardas Clear Cygnus tonearm cable at 1.25 meters, sold each, terminated RCA at both ends. Cygnus sits between Iridium and Clear in the Cardas phono range and borrows the air-tube suspension from Clear Beyond.

A phono cable carries the smallest signal in a system, before anything has amplified it. That is why construction gets more attention here than anywhere else in a signal path, and why the shielding arrangement matters as much as the conductor inside it.

Air-Tube Suspension, Borrowed From Clear Beyond

Fit and Materials

1.25 meters, RCA to RCA. It suits a junction box with RCA sockets and a phono stage a shelf or so away. Cardas also builds Cygnus with a straight DIN at the arm end for arms that take one.

Clear Cygnus takes the air-tube suspension from Clear Beyond and builds it more economically. The conductors are Grade 1 99.9999% pure OFHC copper with an SPN clear coat, Litz construction, on a matched-propagation Kevlar core, with gauges scaled to Golden Ratio proportions.

The suspension is what distinguishes it. Four conductors in star quad sit inside anti-static LDPE air-tubes bound with carbon-impregnated PTFE tape, and an outer layer of PTFE tubes scaled 1.618 times larger holds the composite shield of tinned copper and magnet wire away from the signal rather than pressed against it.

Who Is Clear Cygnus Best For?

• Your junction box presents RCA sockets — RCA at both ends here
• You want the Clear approach without the Clear price — Cygnus is where that geometry becomes affordable
• You want a neutral balance — Cardas positions Cygnus as less forward than the range above it
• Your phono stage is a shelf away — 1.25 meters suits most racks
• Your arm has a DIN socket — Cygnus is built that way too; see tonearm cables

What Length Do You Need?

Measure the route the cable will follow rather than the distance it crosses, and leave enough slack that it hangs in a loop. Terminations are fixed at manufacture, so establish what socket your arm presents before ordering.

Pairs Well With

What most owners fitting a tonearm cable shop next.

• Phono preamplifiers — the other end of this cable, and the bigger variable
• Phono cartridges — the signal source everything downstream is serving
• Cartridge alignment tools — geometry first; no cable fixes a misaligned cartridge
• Tonearm cables — the other lengths and terminations in the range

Frequently Asked Questions

How many do I need?

One. A turntable takes a single tonearm cable, and this is sold each.

What is the air-tube suspension for?

It holds the shield away from the signal conductors instead of against them. The outer PTFE tubes are scaled 1.618 times larger than the core tubes, which is the Golden Ratio Cardas applies throughout.

Do I still need the separate ground wire?

Yes. The cable carries the signal; the ground strap carries the chassis connection that keeps hum out of a phono stage. Connect it before concluding anything is wrong with the cable.

Where does Cygnus sit in the Cardas phono range?

Between Iridium at the foot and Clear at the top. Cardas describes it as bringing the Clear approach within reach, with a neutral balance rather than a forward one.

Can the terminations be changed later?

Not without re-terminating the cable. Order the configuration your arm and phono stage actually present.

Why 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, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, record care, or getting the most from your vinyl? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.