Cardas Audio Clear USB Cable - USB-A to USB-B

Clear USB Brings Cardas's Matched Propagation to a Data Cable

Cardas Audio's Clear USB carries the company's Clear-line conductors into a USB cable. Cardas calls it "a musically neutral cable" that "sounds the same at any usable length." It is built for constant transfer impedance rather than a full-wave characteristic impedance, and it is the first of two Cardas USB cables.

Kevlar-Core Litz Conductors in Golden Ratio Gauges

Each conductor has a Kevlar core wound with ultra-fine Grade 1 copper, 99.9999% pure, each strand sealed in clear SPN enamel. That is Cardas's Litz construction. Strand gauges step in Golden Ratio proportions. Cardas calls the layout cross-field, and it insulates the conductors in ultra-thin extruded PTFE.

An Asymmetrical Star-Quad With a Shielded Signal Pair

The four conductors sit in what Cardas calls an asymmetrical star-quad. The two signal conductors form a shielded twisted pair. Power and signal are bound together with PFA tape. Over everything sits a final shield of aluminum-mylar foil, tin-plated copper and magnet wire, then a soft TPR jacket.

The USB-A and USB-B Plugs, Explained

Clear USB ends in a flat USB-A plug for the computer end and a square USB-B plug for the DAC end. USB-A is the flat plug on a computer or streamer; USB-B is the square plug on most desktop DACs. Cardas does not name the plug maker or its plating, so we do not claim it.

Who Is This USB Cable Best For?

• You want a cable that stays out of the way — Cardas calls Clear USB musically neutral, so the DAC and the recording set the tone
• Your run is longer than a desk — Cardas says the cable sounds the same at any usable length, so a streamer across the rack is no problem
• Your computer sits near power supplies — the signal pair has its own shield inside a second overall shield, so radio and electrical noise stay out
• You already own Cardas Clear cables — the same Kevlar-core Litz conductors run through the whole Clear line, so the digital link matches the rest
• You need USB-C or USB 3 speeds — Clear USB is a USB 2.0 cable with USB-A and USB-B plugs. If your DAC or computer has only USB-C, call us and we will match the plug

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Plug the USB-A end of Clear USB into your computer, streamer or server and the USB-B end into your DAC. Then choose the DAC as the output device in your player or system sound settings. Cardas says the cable sounds the same at any usable length.

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

Pairs Well With

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

• Digital-to-Analog Converters — the usual receiving end
• Music Streamers — streamer or server to DAC
• Headphone Amplifiers — a DAC and amp on the desk
• Power Cables — clean power at both ends

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matched Propagation?

Cardas's conductor design. It winds the strand layers so the signal in the copper and the charge in the insulation travel at matched speeds, which Cardas says stops the smearing of low-level detail.

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 High Speed Serial Buss is the next rung. It adds a second data cable with silver-plated conductors, each leg with its own double shield.

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