Cardas Audio Parsec Coaxial Digital Cable

Parsec Digital Is Cardas's Entry to 75-Ohm Coax

Cardas Audio's Parsec Digital is the company's entry-level coaxial digital cable. Cardas calls it "quite possibly the best value in digital cables" and describes it as "detailed, smooth, and musical." It is light, flexible and built to a 75-ohm geometry for S/PDIF.

Six-Nines Litz Copper in Golden Ratio Gauges

The conductor is Grade 1 copper, 99.9999% pure, with each strand sealed in clear SPN enamel. That is Cardas's Litz construction. Strand gauges step in Golden Ratio proportions in what Cardas calls cross-field layer geometry, insulated in a PTFE jacket. The single conductor totals 20.5 gauge.

Air Tubes Hold the Shield Away From the Conductor

Cardas binds low-density polyurethane air tubes around the conductor with FEP tape. They suspend the aluminized polyester and tin-plated copper spiral shield away from the signal path. Cardas says this specific geometry achieves 75 ohms, the S/PDIF standard. The cable is 8.76 millimeters across.

The GRMO RCA Plugs, Explained

Parsec Digital ends in a Cardas GRMO RCA plug at each end. RCA is the single-pin plug on the coaxial digital output of most CD players, streamers and DACs. The GRMO is Cardas's own RCA plug: high-copper non-magnetic brass, silver-plated contacts with a rhodium flash and a gold-plated screw-on cover. Its cable opening is 8.6 millimeters.

Who Is This Digital Cable Best For?

• You want Cardas copper at Cardas's lowest digital price — Parsec Digital carries the same six-nines Litz copper as the Parsec interconnects, so the line matches
• Your CD player or streamer has a coaxial output — the GRMO RCA plugs fit the orange coax socket on most sources and DACs, so no adapter is needed
• Your rack is tight — Cardas calls the cable light and flexible, so it routes behind a shelf without a fight
• You want a true 75-ohm line — Cardas says the geometry achieves 75 ohms, so the signal sees one impedance from plug to plug
• Your gear has BNC or AES/EBU sockets — an RCA plug will not fit them. Choose the Cardas Parsec Digital RCA to BNC instead, or call us and we will match the plug

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Plug one end into the coaxial digital output of your CD player, transport or streamer and the other into the coaxial digital input of your DAC or receiver. Then choose that input on the DAC and let it lock to the signal.

Then listen. Other and longer lengths available. Call for prices.

Pairs Well With

A digital cable is one link in a digital chain. It usually joins these categories.

• Digital-to-Analog Converters — the receiving end of the link
• CD Players and Transports — the classic coaxial source
• Music Streamers — a streamer with a digital output
• Power Cables — clean power at both ends

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 75 ohms matter?

The S/PDIF standard runs on a 75-ohm line. Cardas says the specific geometry of its digital cables achieves 75 ohms, so the signal meets the same impedance from plug to plug and reflections stay low.

What is a Litz conductor?

Many fine strands, each sealed in its own enamel coat. Cardas says the coating stops strands from touching and keeps the copper from oxidizing over the life of the cable.

What warranty does Cardas give?

A lifetime warranty. Cardas seals every Litz strand in enamel so the copper does not oxidize, and says that is why its cables last.

Is there a step up?

Cardas Clear Digital is the next rung. It moves to Matched Propagation conductors with strands down to 41 gauge and the larger SRCA plug.

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