I own two Clear Beyond Power cords for the Luxman 509u integrated amp and Accuphase DP700 SACD player, Clear Reflection XLR interconnects and a double run of old (but still good) Golden Reference speaker cables biwiring my B&W 803D’s, plus an old Golden Reference Power feeding the Goldnote Dumbo AC (the power filter dedicated to the digital source), while the Purepower 3000 feeding all system receives the dedicated power line (10 meters -I write from Italy- of 3x12AWG for hospital grade UPSs cable terminated with Oyaide C279) from the electric panel.
I am planning to replace the Reflection XLR with the new Beyond, and the G.R. Power for the AC filter with a Clear Power.
More extended, neutral and dynamic but still musical interconnects, and less bright/forward power cable should re-create the same balance, but a step "beyond" ;) .
I read from the Cardas website the new Beyond should be a musical cable with increased "slam" on low frequencies, instead of the too resolving, light character of the old Clear, still the Rev.1, I never liked; maybe Beyond is a more extended Reflection than an improved Clear, who knows?!
Well hello there ..... I would not even start to comment until at least 50 hours and then again at 100 hours minimum. Then start to listen they take a loooooong time to break in due to the amount of cooper.
In my system, the Clear Beyond interconnects have great bass, lots of midrange and low bass
richness as well as bloom. However, it sounds loose and is not as focused. The highs are also slightly tipped up but I use a Cardas
Golden Cross on the DAC to preamp link and that ameliorates the highs a
bit. So far, there are things I like about it and other aspects not so
much compared to the NBS Statements I replaced them with which are more focused but
also more aggressive sounding.
I'll let them settle
for a few days. I was wondering what sort of a difference you observed during the break in period.
@garebear I'll tell you more ... I did prefer A LOT the Nordost Frey 2 (I could try in my system) more than Clear Rev.1 (I don't want to know how awful could be the first Clear): the Nordost was more analytical but much better balanced and entertaining. Clear was too "flat" and boring.
@mikey8811 congratulations ! If Beyond won't be right for you I will buy yours ;) (joking, hope your system will sound awesome) !
Partly based on your advice, I bought a pair of Clear Beyond to go from pre to power amp. I will continue using Golden Cross from DAC to pre as my DAC lacks midrange richness. I hope that doesn't defeat the purpose of the Clear Beyond.
It should arrive soon and I'll post my findings here.
Hello Biggy79 - yes. To me in my system, the Clears where '' like '' Nordost Valhalla 1's ..... The Clear Beyond are a combination of both which is the musical sweet spot for me.
@garebear I had the same impression about old Clear interconnects: a Cardas version of the Nordost Valhalla v1 !
It would be nice for me to know if the Beyond interconnects would keep the same tonality and musical balance resulting the right cable for the actual Clear Reflection owners ...
@jafant when I chose the integrated (I did not want separates) for my B&W 803D 8 years ago, I meant to get the best in terms of woofer handling and driving capabilities, and the Luxman 509u is second to no one in bass control, better than more expensive and "Wattier" separates. I think AB class Luxman amps are better than Accuphase ones, because of their better speed, dynamics, neutrality, driving capabilities. At that time, the E450 could not ever drive the B&W 803D; maybe today E470 is better, but i still prefer Luxman for amps: my dream (sadly, it will remain that) is C900u+M900u! I would consider Accuphase only for their top class separates with big AB class power amps (out of my budget and too big for my room), for the rest I prefer Luxman.
On the other hand, there is no digital source better than an high class Accuphase SACD, no other words needed!
Hello Jafant - in regards to the Cardas you had noted, you might want to take a listen to their new iteration of cables especially the Clear and Clear Beyond's as they are very neutral and not as '' warm '' ; a la Golden Reference as you had indicated.
The Cardas Clear to me in my system and my ears in my room .......I would say they sounded a lot like Nordost Valhalla in their first rendition. The Cardas Clear Beyond take that speed, clarity and transparency and add the realism of music......some may call it warmth, I call it more like real music. I never listened to or owned Cardas Clear Reflection.
Sorry about the delay - but I am from the school of thought in that I keep all of the cables the same brand. So I have all Cardas Clear Beyond. Unfortunately it does take some time for these to really break in .... as I am noticing at about 100 hours the interconnect cables really starting to sound really good. Musical is the way I would describe them .....like you were actually listening to the preformers live.
So you moved from warm cables like PAD 20th Anniversary to Clear Beyond and you're happy ... maybe that means Beyond Interconnects are not too resolving and still musical, like Cardas website says:
"Improving upon the spectacular performance of Clear Interconnect, Clear Beyond combines the famous Cardas musicality with a wider, taller sound stage, deeper bass and increased dynamics. Everything just gets bigger and better, as a cable carrying the name "Beyond" should."
"Clear Beyond Interconnect brings noteworthy improvements in spatial imaging, dynamics, and low frequency impact while retaining the classic Cardas musicality."
"More than anything, Clear Beyond Interconnect is musical".
Can you compare the Interconnects alone to other cables you know?
.......yes the Clear Beyond 's as well. At first I was skeptical as I liked the PAD's power cords but this line of Cardas Cables is ; smooth, transparent and the music just plays. In my system.
Hello Biggy - I did my whole system in Cardas Clear Beyond changing from Purist Audio 20th Anniversary and was very happy with the change. The Purist were wonderful cables and backed by a wonderful company and true gentlemen - Jim Aud. The Cardas in MY system ....are the most true to life cable I have experienced. I am not sure of the ; too resolving but instead I found them to be true to the source and very neutral - which some people don't like. They are well made cable - sonically I enjoy them - a lot, and although not cheap - not stupidly priced for the performance you get.
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