Cardas Audio Clear Sky Interconnect Cable - XLR to XLR

Clear Sky Is Where Matched Propagation Starts

Cardas Audio's Clear Sky is the entry to the Cardas Clear line, and the first Cardas interconnect to use Matched Propagation conductors. Cardas describes it as transparent, dynamic and neutral. The copper is Grade 1, 99.9999% pure, built as Litz wire around a Kevlar core.

Other length & termination options are available. Call us to discuss your needs.

Why Cardas Slows the Conductor Down

Matched Propagation is George Cardas's answer to a timing problem. A signal moves through copper faster than a charge moves through the insulation around it. Cardas says the lag smears low-level detail. Rather than add a network, Cardas sets the twist rate of each strand layer so the conductor's speed matches the dielectric's.

Air Tubes, Thin Tape and a Shield Held at a Distance

Two conductors at 23.5 AWG form a shielded twisted pair. Each sits in a non-conductive poly-e air tube, and the pair is bound in an ultra-thin FEP tape. A second layer of compressed air tubes then holds the tin-plated copper braided shield away from the conductors.

An extruded alcryn rubber jacket finishes the cable at 9.27 mm across. Cardas builds the Clear Sky for long or short runs alike, and says it suits any high-end system. Each cable is hand terminated in Bandon, Oregon.

The CE XLR, Built by Cardas

Clear Sky ends in the Cardas CE XLR, the company's own XLR plug and its standard balanced termination here. The body is machined high-copper, non-magnetic brass and the contacts are silver plated. Cardas solders it to the cable by hand in Bandon, Oregon.

Who Is This Interconnect Best For?

• You want the Clear line's core idea at its entry point — Matched Propagation conductors are what the whole Clear range is built on, so you are buying the principle itself
• Your sources sit near power supplies and routers — the braided shield rides on air tubes, off the conductors, so noise is rejected without loading the signal
• You need a long run — Cardas says Clear Sky is excellent in long or short lengths, so a source across the room is not a compromise
• You want a plug that locks — the CE XLR's latch holds it in the jack, and its brass body and silver contacts resist corrosion, so the connection stays clean
• Your components have only RCA jacks — the Clear Sky XLR is balanced at both ends and will not fit an RCA jack. Choose the Cardas Clear Sky RCA instead, or call us and we will match the connector

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the Clear Sky from a balanced XLR output on your DAC, streamer, CD player or phono stage to a balanced XLR input on your preamp or amplifier. Keep left to left and right to right. Line up the pins and push until the latch clicks. Press the latch tab to release the plug.

Then leave it alone. Cardas says its cables settle with use, so plug in and listen.

Measure the Path, Then Add a Little Slack

Measure the route the cable will really take between your components, around shelves and behind the rack. Then add a little slack. As audio legend George Cardas puts it, "A cable that's just long enough usually turns out to be just not long enough." Keep the left and right cables the same length. We recommend a matched pair.

XLR on Both Ends, or Not at All

Balanced XLR works when both components have XLR jacks, and we recommend using XLRs whenever they do. If one component has only RCA jacks, use an RCA cable instead of an adapter. You only get the possible benefits of a balanced output with a pure XLR-to-XLR connection.

A Long Run Between Components?

If your amplifier and speakers sit far from your source, we recommend a long interconnect over a long speaker cable. A really long interconnect affects system performance less than a really long speaker cable.

When Is It Time to Upgrade?

An interconnect often stays in a system for years, so it is easy to overlook. Look again when something else changes: a new DAC, streamer or phono stage, a better amplifier, or a move to components with balanced XLR jacks.

Pairs Well With

An interconnect is one link in the chain. It usually joins these categories.

• Integrated Amplifiers — the usual input end
• Digital-to-Analog Converters — DAC output to amplifier
• Music Streamers — streamer output to amplifier
• Speaker Cables — the last link to the speakers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matched Propagation?

Cardas's conductor design. It sets the twist rate of each strand layer so the signal in the copper travels at the same speed as the charge in the insulation. Cardas says that keeps low-level detail from smearing.

What is the CE XLR connector?

Cardas's own XLR plug, its standard balanced termination on the Crosslink through Clear Cygnus. High-copper, non-magnetic brass body, silver-plated contacts, hand soldered in Bandon, Oregon.

How long does break-in take?

Cardas says at most 200 hours, and usually half that. Its advice is simple: "Plug them in, leave them plugged in, and enjoy your life."

What warranty does Cardas give?

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

Is there a step up from the Clear Sky?

Cardas Clear Cygnus XLR is the next rung. It moves to four conductors in a star-quad, adds a second layer of PTFE air tubes, and keeps the CE XLR plug.

See It in Action

Audio Advisor's tour of the Cardas factory in Bandon, where the Clear Sky is built and terminated.

Audio Advisor walks through Cardas cable construction, from Litz strands to hand-soldered plugs.

Need a Different Length or Connector?

The most popular configurations are shown on this page. If your system requires a different length or termination, call our audio experts. We’ll help you choose the right configuration and arrange a custom cable for your system.

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Learn More

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