Sonically -Cardas the difference between the CLEAR Loudspeaker cable ,and CLEAR BEYOND


I got a very good deal on the Cardas Clear Beyond XLRs and they are very good , I feel the INTERCONNECT is more important if I had to make a choice between Loudspeaker cable and interconnect  coming from your sourse, Thst being said 

the Cardas clear beyond has 2 x as many conductors  a n 8 gauge vs 5 gauge 

has anyone ever compared the CLEAR  vs Clear BEYOND  Loudspeaker cable .

i can get the CLEAR for 60% off as a demo pair , how much better is the clear beyond  on the SPEAKER end since I have their  top clear beyond for the interconnects. Thanks much  in advance.

audioman58

Thank you. Akg_ca  much appreciated . I have no glass and plenty of room panels 

 have a warmer dac and Pathos2 Inpol mk2 integrated Class A Amp that uses the tubes as a buffer and front tubes preamp .

since I just installed the Cardas Clear beyond XLR cable how long is runin time on these I have 40 hours, .My main question is  sonically how much difference between The clear,and clear beyond  if it sounds pretty good with the wire world awg Ecplise loudspeaker cable. I can get a demo pr of clear for 60% off retail l

thank you  for all your  help !!

I would select the CLEAR as the preferred / sweet spot over paying the significant Ka-Ching! added drain on your wallet in order  to step up the CLEAR BEYOND speaker cables It’s the identical copper materials and sheathing …. its double the diameter thickness. 

“Price is what you pay ….VALUE is what you get.” - Warren Buffett .


You don’t specifically mention your streamer source, dac, or your speakers models  , but your amp is a fine quality  build choice.  We all know that cables are important pieces in system synergy , but the inescapable law of diminishing returns on moving up the food chain - and especially for cables - always rules.

MY TAKE:

 I highly doubt that choosing a CLEAR BEYOND speaker cable step-up from CLEAR will provide you with an “Aha!” or “Jesus Moment “ audio performance improvement. ,,( if any … emphasis added ) 

So if it’s an ethereal added detail, slam, or dynamics you are seeking …think stepping up in your source(s).


 

 

Run -in time on CARDAS Cables ….I can only report on my direct personal experiences. Yours may be different.

My experience:

it’s a series of incremental steps with pauses in between. overall,

- it’s well over 200+ hours ..I kind of lost count after a while with the staggered step program highlighted following. 

- it was never a linear progression . Rather it would flatten out for a time at a new plateau …. and then sound a “bit better” ,  and the trends continued for a series of ad hoc indeterminate periods…. until it kinda “planed off “.

- My not-insignificant run-in time on these high-end cables was mirrored in like form by the 400+ hours recommended by SIMAUDIO on their MOON streamer / dac / network player 

My take: I highly doubt that CARDAS CLEAR BEYOND will offer ANY  perceptible audio performance upticks over CARDAS CLEAR speakerscables in your system.

The improvements - if any - I predict from the CLEAR BEYOND will be comparably minuscule and only perceived as minute ones in a direct bake-off in your system, and conducted in  your listening room. I would not drink any KoolAid that touts them as an automatic magic silver bullet on the Yellow Brick Road to Audio OZ based on doubling of price and and a doubling of their mass .

Post Script wild card :

If you do indulge yourself by choosing the double-price CLEAR BEYOND speaker cables , then think longer term about the contributing longer-term factors influencing your decision matrix :

Because they are significantly more expensive ( think double cost …  ) and a hefty investment at an eye-watering price for most:

- If they don’t stir your drink now, or if you change system components suggesting a move to new cables to sustain system synergy; think about likelihood of being able sell them without suffering a significant haircut on your initial investment. Most AGON-ers may shy away from them regardless.based on price ….even resale price.

- Without prejudice to the significant cost factor above , your bespoke lengths (currently unspecified … ) may not suit a majority of prospective buyers in the resale forum ( too long , too short, replacement connectors etc,) 

- AND ENSURE  that you get a CARDAS Certificate of Authenticity ( “COA” ) regardless if purchased new or pre-owned .CARDAS won’t reterminate them for plug or length retermination without and may likely seize and destroy any counterfeit or fake units (….innocent or otherwise ….) .

Note: with their twin patented nautilus-like complex strand weave, they are not a DIY or inexperienced option to alter and need done at their factory.


Go to their website about their fraud cables blurbs. A lot of even preowned units are inferior build fakes with lame excuses for lacking a COA.
CARDAS will cheerfully give a preliminary non-binding guessed assessment of authenticity via pics, ….and better still …. provide a binding full assessment a replacement COA if sent back to them for their inspection..

Just sayin’ ….

Speculation be damned.  The only thing that really matters here is which cables sound best to you in your audio system, and the only way to know for sure which cables will sound best in your set-up is to audition both of them in your audio system.  Best value is always great, but the best sound quality while still being within your budget is the goal.  Happy listening.