DIY Cardas Clear
Configuration: 4 wire, shielded copper
Weight: 43g
Ergonomics: 6/10
Cost: DIY version $300 (cost of parts) – PW Audio 1950s $2149
Years ago it was discovered by the audio community that PW Audio utilise wire manufactured by Cardas in their IEM cable range. Though unsubstantiated officially, it’s become known their 1960s cables use Cardas Clear Light wire for the primary conductors, whilst their 1950s cables utilise Cardas Clear.
Avid DIYers have since taken to extracting the wire from Cardas Clear headphone cables in order to construct replicas of PWA’s 1950s cable – one of the most highly-regarded IEM cables on the market since its’ inception. Independent enthusiast testing has verified DIY 4 wire cables built with Cardas Clear conductors do indeed sound virtually identical to PWA’s 1950s but can be built for vastly lower sums.
My friend Benno1988 has been constructing audio cables for many years and recently built such a cable, and was kind enough to allow its’ inclusion in the shootout. In fact the two of us went halves in purchasing a Cardas Clear headphone cable and I used the other half to create a 1950s clone of my own, but Benno1988’s creation looks more visually appealing so I’m including his in the shootout instead.
So are Cardas Clear/1950s cables deserving of their legendary reputation? Let’s find out.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
Benno1988 has done an amazing job here, this cable looks and feels as professional as most commercially manufactured cables on the market.
Ergonomically the cable is hefty without being downright heavy, lighter than the larger 8 wire cables in the shootout. The wire is sheathed in paracord from the Y-split down giving it a soft, comfortable feel.
Where Cardas Clear wire loses out ergonomically is in flexibility – each of the 4 wires contains a thin outer shielding layer surrounding the innermost conductors, which makes it feel slightly springy. This is not an inflexible cable, but isn’t as supple as the other 4 wire cables in the shootout either.
Benno1988 used Plussound hardware for this cable including a rhodium-plated 4.4mm plug & 2pin connectors which match the color scheme perfectly, and give the impression of being very high quality.
Having tried a number of PWA cables previously, this DIY Cardas Clear feels like it’s been built to similarly high standards.
Sound
Cardas Clear / 1950s cables are known for possessing the rich tonality of copper whilst simultaneously delivering the technical prowess of silver to an impressive extent. Indeed many owners claim the balance between tonality & technicality is close to perfect.
This cable manages to sound warm and full-bodied with midrange performance as impressive as any cable in the shootout, but without the bottom-end emphasis we frequently associate with pure copper cables so treble does not feel like an afterthought.
Resolution, dynamics, imaging & stage dimensions are all impressive, challenging even 8 wire cable standards, and the cable provides a fantastic balance between stage depth & width. While delivering tonality that feels completely uncompromised.
IEM Comparisons
Penon 10th Anniversary
Despite the presentation sounding very clean there is a distinct midrange emphasis here, with a slight bias towards the lower midrange in particular. Bass is impressive and leans more towards midbass rather than sub bass.
Treble does not feel muted as it can on some copper cables, yet the musicality of copper is definitely present. The stage feels widened in both depth & width, but not quite to the extent it is improved on the Impacts by this cable. This is a very satisfying pairing.
ISN EST50
Bass has deepened impressively, the stage improves in depth & width and the balance between both is great. More resolution in the midrange is noticeable, and treble does not feel muted but is not further emphasised either.
Some of the large 8 wire cables do improve dynamics & grow the stage even more, yet both are impressive here and ergonomics are much better. Stage depth is particularly satisfying as that’s an area the EST50 can use improvement on the stock cable. This is a great pairing.
Penon Impact
This pairing builds on the Impacts’ existing midrange strength by adding even more midrange resolution, along with tightening bass and improving stage dimensions & imaging. Stage depth in particular is impressively boosted.
This is a very pleasing, coherent balance of natural tonality with terrific technical performance. Although there is not quite as much resolution & prominence in the treble as with say Venom or Sky-Sea Voice, this cable does a better job of maintaining Impact’s midrange focus.
Verdict
It’s easy listening to Cardas Clear to realise why PWA’s 1950s cables have acquired such praiseworthy status in the hobby. This is a cable that somehow delivers all the magic of copper and most of the perks of silver at the same time.
Though there are undoubtedly larger, heavier & more expensive cables on the market that deliver even higher levels of technical performance with vaster soundstages, higher resolution & blacker backgrounds, Cardas Clear probably represents the pinnacle of performance per dollar in the upper-end of the market if you can find someone willing to build one.
Ergonomics aren’t perfect however as the cable can be annoyingly springy, and the matte gray wire isn’t going to win any prizes for appearances either. As always, nothing in the hobby is perfect.
Introduction
Cable 1 & 2 – EA Ares S 4 Wire & 8 Wire
Cable 3 – Effect Audio Cadmus 8 Wire
Cable 4 – Effect Audio Code 23
Cable 5 – ISN S8
Cable 6 – Liquid Links Martini
Cable 7 – Liquid Links Venom
Cable 8 – NiceHCK BlackSoul
Cable 9 – Penon CS819
Cable 10 – Penon Leo Plus
Cable 11 – Penon Obsidian
Cable 12 – Penon Vocal
Cable 13 – DIY Cardas Clear
Cable 14 – DIY Hakugei Gray Dragon
Cable 15 – DIY Hakugei Sky-Sea Voice
Talking Point – Cable Performance vs Ergonomics
Talking Point – Cable Value
Talking Point – Cable DIY
Cable Awards
Conclusion
Cable Manufacturer Links & Acknowledgements
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