Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Interconnect Cable - 2.5 Meter - RCA to RCA - Pair

Clear Beyond Is Cardas with Nothing Held Back

Cardas Audio's Clear Beyond is the company's flagship interconnect. Cardas says it brings noteworthy gains in spatial imaging, dynamics and low-frequency impact over the Clear. The Cardas musicality stays. Each cable is made to order and hand terminated in Bandon, Oregon, by Cardas's senior technicians.

Strands Down to 47 Gauge

The conductors are Cardas Grade 1 copper, 99.9999% pure, drawn to strands between 47 AWG and 39 AWG and built as Litz wire. Each is a Matched Propagation conductor on a Kevlar core, with strand sizes stepped in Golden Ratio proportions. Four conductors run at 26.5 AWG.

Star-Quad, Two Rings of Air Tubes and a 13 mm Body

The four conductors sit in a star-quad, each inside an anti-static LDPE air tube. Carbon-impregnated PTFE tape binds them. A second ring of PTFE air tubes, scaled 1.618 times larger than the core tubes, holds the composite shield of tinned copper and magnet wire away from the signal.

Each conductor wears an ultra-thin extruded PTFE jacket, and an ultra-soft TPR jacket finishes the cable. All of that adds up to an outside diameter of 0.511 inches, or 13 mm. It is the largest in the Cardas interconnect line. Cardas says no Cardas interconnect is as demanding to build. So it is made in small quantities.

The SRCA Plug and the XRCA 13 Adaptor

Clear Beyond ends in the Cardas SRCA RCA plug. It is machined high-copper, non-magnetic brass. The contacts are silver plated under a rhodium flash, and a gold-plated cover screws on. The 13 mm body is more than the SRCA's 9.5 mm opening allows. So Cardas fits its XRCA 13 adaptor between cable and plug.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Herb Reichert, in Stereophile's Gramophone Dreams column on August 11, 2022, wrote that with the Clear Beyond "the apparent volume of the recording venue expanded dramatically."

Alan Sircom, reviewing for hi-fi+ on July 31, 2017, found that "Beyond is exceptionally good at those 'inter-transient silences'." He closed with "Very highly recommended!"

It is a Stereophile Recommended Component in the 2025 edition, a hi-fi+ Editor's Choice for 2024, and a The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice for 2019.

Who Is This Interconnect Best For?

• You are finishing a reference system — the Clear Beyond is the top of the Cardas line, so there is no further rung to wonder about
• Your rack radiates — the composite shield rides on its own ring of air tubes, so noise is rejected without loading the signal
• You want plug and cable from one shop — SRCA plug, XRCA 13 adaptor and cable are all Cardas, machined and terminated in Bandon, so one maker stands behind the assembly
• You keep cables for decades — every Litz strand is enamel sealed and Cardas backs it for life, so nothing corrodes and no clock is running
• Your RCA jacks sit close together or near a panel edge — the 13 mm body needs the XRCA 13 adaptor behind the SRCA plug, so the assembly is longer and wider than the plug alone. Measure the clearance first, or call us and we will check the fit. The rest of the Cardas range is in our Interconnect Cables collection

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the Clear Beyond from a line-level output, a DAC, streamer, CD player or phono stage, to a line-level input on your preamp or amplifier. Keep left to left and right to right. Push each SRCA plug straight on until it seats. Pull it off by the barrel, never by the cable.

Then leave it alone. Cardas says its cables settle with use, so plug in and listen. Other and longer lengths available. Call for prices.

Pairs Well With

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

• Preamplifiers — source to preamp, preamp to amp
• Stereo Amplifiers — the power amp end of a separates system
• Digital-to-Analog Converters — DAC output to preamp
• Power Cables — clean power at both ends

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the XRCA 13 adaptor?

A Cardas fitting that joins the 13 mm cable to the SRCA plug, whose opening is 9.5 mm. Cardas says the cable's diameter makes it necessary for single-ended termination.

Why is the cable 13 mm thick?

Two rings of air tubes and the composite shield take room. Cardas says the shielding and air-tube suspension are what bring the body to 0.511 inches.

What is the SRCA connector?

Cardas's machined RCA plug for its flagship tier. Brass body, silver contacts with a rhodium flash, and a gold cover that screws on.

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.

See It in Action

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

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

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about interconnects, reference systems, or RCA versus XLR? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.