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The Cardas Audio Iridium Power Cable is no ordinary power cable. It exemplifies how much even the power supply can influence the overall musical experience – when implemented consistently. With the Iridium, Cardas Audio demonstrates that the line between cable and sonic artistry is fluid. This power cable was designed to transmit power with the lowest possible loss, noise, and musical neutrality. The result: a confident, controlled sound with greater dynamics, depth, and a more subdued background – a quality typically only found in significantly more expensive power cables.

Product presentation

The Cardas Audio Iridium power cable marks the entry point into Cardas' world of high-end power supplies, without compromising the brand's characteristic build quality and musical signature. It sits between the Clear Sky and the Parsec in the product line, positioned as the ideal upgrade for ambitious hi-fi systems where power supply is not considered an afterthought.

Since its founding by George Cardas in 1987, Cardas Audio has been synonymous with innovation in cable design. His approach of structuring conductor geometries according to the Golden Ratio to avoid standing waves and resonances is a feature of the entire product range – including the Iridium. The goal: a perfect balance between electrical precision and musical flow.

Each Iridium cable is handcrafted in Bandon, Oregon (USA) . Only high-quality, stranded copper conductors are used, which are enameled and individually insulated in a complex process. This construction minimizes skin and proximity effects – typical problems with conventional conductors that can color the treble and bloat the bass.

The Iridium Power utilizes Cardas' proprietary copper alloy , renowned for its exceptional purity. The insulation consists of a specially developed dielectric that dampens micro-vibrations and effectively eliminates electromagnetic interference (EMI/RFI). The result: a significantly smoother background, finer textures, and clearer spatial imaging.

Special features / Features

What distinguishes the Iridium Power is its ability to combine technical purity with musicality . While many power cables sound analytical or emphasized, the Cardas remains balanced, organic, and natural.

Cardas copper
The copper developed by Cardas (“Cardas Copper”) is manufactured exclusively for the brand and undergoes rigorous quality controls. It offers a homogeneous crystal structure and excellent conductivity, guaranteeing stability even with the weakest signals.

Litz construction
Each individual wire is enamelled and constructed according to a defined stranding pattern based on the golden ratio. This geometry prevents electromagnetic interference within the cable and keeps impedance and phase constant – even under fluctuating network loads.

shielding
The iridium is double-shielded. A combination of dense copper braids and conductive foil provides effective protection against high-frequency interference and mains noise.

Connectors
Cardas uses gold-plated copper contacts with rhodium-plated surfaces for maximum conductivity and durability. The solid connector housings are vibration-damped and mechanically extremely robust.

Mechanical damping
The thick outer sheath material – a combination of PVC and thermoplastic elastomers – prevents micro-vibrations that could negatively affect power transmission.

Technology & Materials

The Iridium Power is technically a 3x2.5 mm² stranded wire (equivalent to approximately 14 AWG) with high-purity copper and multi-layer insulation. Its modular design allows it to be easily supplied in lengths from 1.0 to 3.0 meters.

Its capacitance remains relatively low thanks to the special stranding, ensuring no impairment of dynamics even at high frequencies. The internal resistance is extremely low, enabling immediate and controlled power transfer – crucial for amplifiers with high current demands.

Cardas pays close attention to mechanical resonance control during manufacturing: The cable's geometry is designed to specifically dampen its inherent behavior in the mains frequency range (50–60 Hz). This reduces hum interference and ensures clean grounding.

Sustainability & Manufacturing

Cardas Audio manufactures all cables in the USA , under fair working conditions and with a focus on durability. Instead of short-lived mass-produced goods, they create products that can be used for decades.

The materials used – copper, insulation, connectors – are fully recyclable. Cardas also places great emphasis on repairable designs : if a connector is damaged, it can easily be replaced without having to dispose of the entire cable.

Technical specifications

Conductor material: Cardas copper, Litz construction
Conductor cross-section: 3 × 2.5 mm² (14 AWG)
Insulation: Polyurethane & PVC, vibration-damped
Shielding: Multi-layered copper braid and foil shielding
Connectors: Cardas rhodium-plated copper contacts
Voltage: 230V AC / 50-60Hz
Recommended power rating: up to 16 A load
Outer diameter: approx. 12 mm
Color: Dark blue with gold markings
Available lengths: 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 / 3.0 m

Test reports / Press reviews

LP Magazine describes the Cardas Iridium Power as "an exceptionally quiet, controlled power cable that delivers a clear improvement in sonic structure and spatial depth, even in high-end systems." It particularly emphasizes its ability to preserve subtle dynamic details and rhythmic precision without ever becoming analytical.

Image Hifi praised the “unmistakable Cardas signature – warm, colorful, but never softened. The Iridium Power conveys substance and musical truth with a naturalness rarely found in this price range.”

A long-term test at fairaudio.de (comparable series) emphasizes that Cardas power cables "create an organic energy transfer that sounds less like technology and more like music".

Background / History / Development

Cardas Audio was founded in 1987 by George Cardas , an engineer who combined the physics of sound with the principles of harmony. The so-called "Golden Ratio" design – based on the mathematical ratio 1:1.618 – is the company's trademark today. This design ensures that electromagnetic fields and resonances neutralize each other, resulting in exceptionally natural sound reproduction.

The Iridium is a direct successor to the earlier Quadlink series, redesigned with more modern materials and optimized connectors. It was developed to provide audiophile systems with a neutral, low-resonance power supply – without exaggeration, but with musical soul.

Cardas remains a family business today, run by Angela Cardas Meredith , who continues her father's legacy and still has every cable manufactured by hand.

Basic knowledge – Why a power cable is important

A power cable is far more than just a conductor. Poor power supply can introduce interference, hum, and high-frequency noise into sensitive audio components. A high-quality cable like the Cardas Iridium Power offers lower contact resistance, better shielding, and a more stable current flow – resulting in clearer dynamics, a more stable soundstage, and a more relaxed musicality.