Cardas · Clear

Cardas Clear Phono

From $1,160

Cardas · Clear

The reference Cardas phono cable: dual-mono Matched Propagation twisted pairs, suspended in air and shielded, for reference analog systems in neutral rooms.

Price is for one complete phono cable, both channels, at the shortest length shown. Choose length and ends in the selector.

4 × 25.5 AWG
Cardas Litz conductors, Golden Ratio stranding
Dual mono
one shielded pair per channel
10.6 mm
outside diameter
0.5–2.75 m
standard lengths, any length to order
Options and pricing

Authorized Cardas dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome

The story

Clear Phono uses four 25.5 AWG Matched Propagation conductors — Litz bundles of 41 to 39 AWG strands around Kevlar cores — as two twisted pairs, one per channel, held open by anti-static air tubes; a second layer of larger air tubes suspends the composite shield of 42 AWG tinned copper and magnet wire.

Cardas describes it as completely neutral and dynamic, with superb high-frequency extension and speed and control over the whole frequency range, extracting every detail while remaining musical and never fatiguing. Standard terminations are a Cardas S-DIN to SRCA or RCA to RCA; R-DIN and SME 90° DIN are available to order.

Check your tonearm: most have a 5-pin DIN socket under the arm base (straight DIN), some exit sideways and need a 90° DIN, and others have RCA sockets on the plinth. Cardas builds a 90° R-DIN or SME-style 90° DIN to order at no extra charge in most cases; tell us the arm model and we will specify it. 1 m to 1.25 m suits a phono stage on the same shelf; measure the real path to a stage on another rack and round up to the next quarter metre.

Key technologies

  • Matched Propagation Technology. US Patent 7,674,973: the propagation rate of the conductor is matched to that of the dielectric through the conductor's internal geometry, so the signal is not smeared in time.
  • Ultra Pure Cardas Copper. Grade 1, 99.9999% pure oxygen-free copper, drawn and annealed slowly through silver dies, then given a single poly-nylon coat to prevent oxidation and crosstalk between strands.
  • Golden Ratio scaled Litz conductors. Multi-stranded conductors in which each layer of strands steps up in size by 1:1.618 from the centre outward, a Cardas patent that controls strand resonance.
  • Air-tube suspension. Anti-static LDPE air tubes and carbon-impregnated PTFE tape hold the conductors in air; a second layer of tubes 1.618 times larger suspends the composite shield away from the signal path.
  • Made in Bandon, Oregon. Every Cardas cable is built and hand terminated at the Cardas factory on the southern Oregon coast and carries the Cardas lifetime cable warranty.
Specifications
Type Phono (tonearm) cable, both channels
Conductors 4 × 25.5 AWG; Matched Propagation Kevlar-core Litz, strands from 41 AWG to 39 AWG, extruded PTFE insulation
Geometry Dual-mono twisted pairs with anti-static LDPE air tubes bound in carbon-impregnated PTFE tape; outer PTFE air tubes scaled 1.618× suspend a composite shield of 42 AWG tinned copper and magnet wire
Outside diameter 0.418 in (10.6 mm)
Tonearm end Straight 5-pin DIN (Cardas S-DIN) or RCA pair (turntable with RCA outputs); Cardas R-DIN (90°) and SME 90° DIN to order
Phono stage end RCA pair — Cardas SRCA
Lengths 0.5 m to 2.75 m standard (see selector); any length to order
Sold as Single cable
Warranty Cardas lifetime cable warranty
Made in Bandon, Oregon, USA

Cardas Clear Phono product page and specifications Specifications from cardas.com and the Cardas 2025 Dealer Catalog (Spring 2025 Retail). Lengths are metric; Cardas builds any length to order.

Where it sits in the range

Cardas phono cables run from Iridium to Clear Beyond Phono X2, built with a straight 5-pin DIN or RCAs at the tonearm and Cardas RCAs at the phono stage; R-DIN (90°) and SME 90° DIN to order.

Plan your Cardas system with Pearl Audio

Pearl Audio is an authorized Cardas dealer. Tell us your tonearm and phono stage and we will specify the DIN or RCA ends, order custom lengths, and arrange an audition in our Portland showroom. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.

The Pearl Audio experience

How we work with you

A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.

  1. 01

    Listen first

    Hear the Clear Phono by appointment in one of our two purpose-designed demonstration rooms, with your own music and time to compare without pressure.

  2. 02

    Delivery and installation

    We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.

  3. 03

    Support for as long as you own it

    We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.

  4. 04

    A path for what comes next

    Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.

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