Cardas Audio Clear Tonearm Cable - 1.0 Meter - RCA to RCA

Cardas Clear Is Cardas's Flagship Phono Cable

A tonearm cable carries the phono signal from a turntable to a phono preamplifier, one of the most noise-sensitive links in the whole vinyl chain, since the signal here is far weaker than a line-level source. A premium cable differs from the plain lead a turntable ships with in conductor quality and shielding.

Cardas built Clear as its flagship phono cable, intended for reference-level systems in acoustically neutral listening rooms. Cardas says it delivers superb high-frequency extension and speed with perfect control across the entire frequency range.

Matched Propagation Conductors on a Kevlar Core

Cardas says Clear uses a Matched Propagation Kevlar core wrapped in ultra-fine Grade 1, 99.9999% pure oxygen-free copper with an SPN clear coat (Litz), gauge sizes scaled to Golden Ratio proportions and ranging from 41 AWG to 39 AWG, insulated in an ultra-thin extruded PTFE jacket.

Air-Tube Geometry Scaled to the Golden Ratio

Clear uses dual mono twisted-pair conductors with anti-static LDPE air-tubes bound in carbon-impregnated PTFE tape, Cardas says. An outer layer of PTFE air-tubes, scaled 1.618 times larger than the core tubes, suspends a composite shield of tinned copper and magnet wire away from the signal conductors. Gauge is 4x25.5 AWG, diameter 0.418 inches (10.6mm).

The Connectors, Explained

Clear terminates at the turntable end in a Cardas S-DIN plug (straight or right-angle) or a pair of RCA plugs, and at the phono-stage end in a pair of Cardas SRCA plugs.

Who Is This Cable Best For?

• You are building a reference-level analog front end and price is secondary to performance — Clear is Cardas's flagship phono cable, built for exactly that kind of system
• Your turntable has a detachable DIN-style tonearm lead — Clear is available terminated in a straight or right-angle Cardas S-DIN plug to match your tonearm's socket orientation
• Your turntable's tonearm wiring runs straight out to RCA plugs — Clear is also available RCA-to-SRCA for that direct connection
• Your listening room is acoustically neutral and you want to hear everything the cartridge picks up — Cardas built Clear specifically for that kind of critical, revealing system
• Your budget calls for Cardas's more accessible phono cable instead — Cardas Iridium carries a simpler Star-Quad construction at a fraction of the price

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the turntable end (RCA or Cardas S-DIN, straight or right-angle depending on your tonearm's wiring) to your turntable or tonearm's output, and the SRCA end to your phono preamplifier's phono input.

Then power up the system as usual. Other and longer lengths available. Call for prices.

Pairs Well With

A tonearm cable is one link in the vinyl playback chain. It usually joins these categories.

• Turntables — the source of the signal or ground point this cable connects to
• Phono Preamplifiers — the usual destination at the other end of this cable
• Phono Cartridges — the cartridge is what actually generates the signal this cable carries
• Stereo Amplifiers — many integrated amps include a built-in phono stage of their own

Frequently Asked Questions

Does direction matter when I connect this cable?

Where a maker marks a direction on a tonearm cable's conductors, connect it running from the turntable end toward the phono stage as marked, so induced noise drains away from the circuits it would otherwise disturb.

Is this cable balanced or unbalanced?

Unbalanced. Standard RCA and single-ended DIN connections are unbalanced; this cable is not a balanced connection unless its listing says otherwise.

What does the 1.618 air-tube scaling do?

Cardas scales the outer PTFE air-tubes 1.618 times larger than the inner core tubes, suspending the composite shield away from the signal conductors so it doesn't load down the sensitive phono signal.

Why does Clear come in a straight or right-angle DIN plug?

Different tonearms mount their DIN socket at different angles; Cardas offers both so the plug can sit flush against the tonearm base instead of forcing a tight bend in the cable.

Is there a step up?

Cardas Clear Cygnus sits between Iridium and Clear, sharing Clear's Matched Propagation core in a simpler geometry.

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