Audio T Verdict
Chord Company Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY is a dedicated 75-ohm coaxial digital interconnect designed for compatible digital sources, DACs and other S/PDIF-equipped audio components.
Its current specification represents a significant step up from C-digital. Chord Company uses a silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper conductor, PTFE insulation, high-density silver-plated braid and foil shielding, ChorAlloy™ plated connectors and its proprietary Tuned ARAY conductor geometry.
Clearway Digital is also unusually flexible in terms of connection options. Chord Company manufactures RCA, BNC and 3.5mm mono mini-jack configurations, including mixed terminations for equipment where the source and receiving component use different coaxial digital sockets.
That flexibility does mean you need to choose carefully. Chord Company lists RCA-to-BNC and BNC-to-RCA as separate products, just as it separately identifies RCA-to-mini-jack and mini-jack-to-RCA. The connector order therefore matters when choosing a mixed-termination cable.
A specialist dual-BNC-to-mini-jack version is also available for compatible M Scaler applications. This is a specific manufacturer configuration rather than simply a conventional digital lead with an adaptor fitted.
If C-digital is the straightforward entry point into Chord Company's electrical digital cables, Clearway Digital adds a substantially more sophisticated conductor, dielectric, shielding and termination specification while accommodating a much wider range of digital equipment.
Chord Company Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY Interconnect
Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY is a hand-built 75-ohm digital audio interconnect available with RCA, BNC and mono 3.5mm mini-jack connections.
The current design uses a silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper conductor, PTFE insulation, high-density shielding, a damping dual-layer outer jacket and ChorAlloy™ plated connectors.
Current Clearway Digital Specification
This page covers the current Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY construction.
Earlier Clearway Digital versions used a different published material specification, including oxygen-free copper conductors, gas-foamed polyethylene insulation and earlier connector plating.
The technical information below follows Chord Company's current specification rather than the specification of those earlier versions.
Current Audio T Options
The following Clearway Digital variants are currently represented in the Audio T product selector:
| Audio T Option |
Connection |
Length |
| Clearway Digital 2BNC-3.5mm |
2 BNC to 3.5mm mini-jack |
1m |
| Clearway Digital 3.5mm-3.5mm |
3.5mm mono mini-jack to 3.5mm mono mini-jack |
1m |
| Clearway Digital 3.5mm-RCA |
3.5mm mono mini-jack to RCA |
1m |
| Clearway Digital BNC-BNC |
BNC to BNC |
1m |
| Clearway Digital BNC-BNC |
BNC to BNC |
2m |
| Clearway Digital RCA-BNC |
RCA to BNC |
0.5m |
| Clearway Digital RCA-RCA |
RCA to RCA |
0.5m |
| Clearway Digital RCA-RCA |
RCA to RCA |
1m |
| Clearway Digital RCA-RCA |
RCA to RCA |
1.5m |
| Clearway Digital RCA-RCA |
RCA to RCA |
3m |
Chord Company's Full Current Termination Range
Chord Company's current trade catalogue lists the following Clearway Digital configurations:
- RCA to RCA
- RCA to 3.5mm mono mini-jack
- 3.5mm mono mini-jack to RCA
- 3.5mm mono mini-jack to 3.5mm mono mini-jack
- BNC to BNC
- BNC to RCA
- RCA to BNC
- BNC to mini-jack
- 2 BNC to mini-jack for M Scaler applications
Need a Configuration Not Shown Online?
Chord Company currently manufactures some termination arrangements that are not represented in the Audio T selector.
If you require RCA to mini-jack, BNC to RCA or BNC to mini-jack, please contact Audio T rather than ordering a physically similar but differently oriented version.
Mixed Terminations: Direction Matters
Chord Company lists the following as separate products:
- RCA to BNC
- BNC to RCA
- RCA to 3.5mm mono
- 3.5mm mono to RCA
Those descriptions should therefore be treated as specific source-to-destination configurations rather than interchangeable names for the same product.
Check Which Connector Is on the Source
Before ordering a mixed-termination Clearway Digital cable, check the coaxial digital output on the source and the digital input on the receiving component.
For example, RCA-to-BNC and BNC-to-RCA are separately identified by Chord Company and should not automatically be treated as the same product.
2 BNC to Mini-Jack M Scaler Version
Chord Company specifically manufactures a:
Clearway Digital Solid 2 BNC to Mini-jack 1m (M Scaler).
This is the configuration represented by the Audio T 2BNC-3.5mm option.
It is a specialist manufacturer-defined cable rather than a conventional single-coax connection.
Specialist M Scaler Configuration
Do not purchase the 2 BNC to 3.5mm version simply because your equipment has those connector types.
It is specifically identified by Chord Company as an M Scaler configuration. If compatibility is uncertain, please check with Audio T before ordering.
75-Ohm Digital Construction
Chord Company specifies Clearway Digital as:
75 ohms.
This is the manufacturer's published characteristic specification for the current Clearway Digital design.
Silver-Plated Solid-Core OFC Conductor
The current cable uses:
Silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper.
Oxygen-free copper is commonly abbreviated to OFC.
Why Solid Core?
Chord Company specifically identifies the current Clearway Digital as using a solid-core conductor rather than a conventional multi-strand construction.
The conductor forms part of the complete 75-ohm Tuned ARAY cable architecture.
Tuned ARAY Conductor Geometry
Clearway Digital uses Chord Company's:
Tuned ARAY conductor geometry.
The technology was originally developed for Chord Company's flagship digital products before being introduced into lower ranges.
What Is Tuned ARAY?
Tuned ARAY is Chord Company's proprietary conductor-geometry system.
Clearway Digital incorporates the technology within its 75-ohm coaxial digital architecture rather than relying on a conventional generic coaxial cable arrangement.
PTFE Dielectric
The current manufacturer specification states:
PTFE dielectric.
This replaces the gas-foamed polyethylene specification associated with earlier versions of Clearway Digital.
Do Not Use the Old Polyethylene Specification
Older Clearway Digital product descriptions refer to gas-foamed polyethylene insulation.
Chord Company's current specification states PTFE, and that is the specification Audio T should use for the current product.
High-Density Shielding
Chord Company specifies:
High-density silver-plated combination braid and foil shielding.
The screen surrounds the digital signal path to provide protection against external electrical interference.
Combination Braid and Foil
The current Clearway Digital does not rely on one simple screen.
Chord Company combines:
- High-density braid
- Foil shielding
within the cable construction.
Damping Dual-Layer Outer Jacket
Chord Company's current product specification also identifies a:
Damping dual-layer outer jacket.
This forms the external mechanical protection around the conductor, dielectric and shielding system.
ChorAlloy Plated Connectors
The current Clearway Digital uses:
ChorAlloy™ plated connectors.
Chord Company's trade specification identifies the connector material as ChorAlloy-plated copper.
Older Clearway Connector Information Is Out of Date
Earlier versions of the cable were described with direct-silver-plated VEE 3 RCA plugs and silver-plated BNC connectors.
The current manufacturer specification is ChorAlloy™ plated connectors.
Hand Built in the UK
Chord Company specifies Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY as:
Hand built in the UK.
This applies to the current digital interconnect range and its various connector configurations.
Standard and Custom Lengths
Chord Company's main product specification currently identifies:
- 0.5m: Standard
- 1m: Standard
- Custom lengths: Available to order
This means longer Audio T variants such as 1.5m, 2m and 3m can be supplied as custom-length Clearway Digital cables where the required termination is supported.
Digital Sources and DACs
Chord Company identifies Clearway Digital as compatible with components equipped with coaxial digital connections, including:
- CD players
- CD transports
- Streaming devices
- DVD players
- Compatible DACs
- Other compatible coaxial digital equipment
RCA Digital Connections
RCA coaxial digital sockets are commonly found on:
- CD players and transports
- Music streamers
- DACs
- Integrated amplifiers with digital inputs
- AV equipment
Where both source and receiving component use RCA coaxial digital connections, choose RCA to RCA.
BNC Digital Connections
BNC connectors are used by a number of specialist digital audio products.
Clearway Digital is available with BNC at either or both ends, depending on the equipment being connected.
3.5mm Mono Digital Connections
Chord Company also supports:
3.5mm mono mini-jack coaxial digital connections.
These are not conventional analogue stereo headphone connections.
3.5mm Does Not Automatically Mean Headphone Socket
A 3.5mm connector can carry several different signal types.
Clearway Digital's mini-jack versions are for compatible coaxial digital connections. Do not connect one to an ordinary analogue headphone output merely because the socket is physically the same size.
Clearway Digital or C-digital?
C-digital
- Dedicated coaxial digital interconnect
- RCA to RCA
- ARAY conductor geometry
- Oxygen-free copper conductors
- High-density foil shielding
- Direct gold-plated RCA connectors
- 0.5m and 1m
Clearway Digital
- 75-ohm digital interconnect
- RCA, BNC and mini-jack configurations
- Tuned ARAY conductor geometry
- Silver-plated solid-core OFC conductor
- PTFE dielectric
- High-density braid and foil shielding
- ChorAlloy™ connectors
- Custom lengths available
Clearway Digital provides the broader connection range and the more advanced published material specification.
Compare the Chord Company C-digital at Audio T.
Why Buy the Correct Termination Rather Than an Adaptor?
Chord Company manufactures dedicated RCA, BNC and mini-jack versions of Clearway Digital.
Where the required connector combination is available directly, using the correct factory-built cable avoids adding an unnecessary external connector adaptor to the digital signal path.
Key Features
- Chord Company Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY
- Coaxial digital audio interconnect
- 75-ohm manufacturer specification
- Solid-core conductor
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductor
- Chord Company Tuned ARAY conductor geometry
- PTFE dielectric
- High-density shielding
- Silver-plated combination braid and foil shield
- Damping dual-layer outer jacket
- ChorAlloy™ plated copper connectors
- Hand built in the UK
- RCA connection available
- BNC connection available
- 3.5mm mono mini-jack available
- RCA to RCA available
- RCA to BNC available
- BNC to RCA available from Chord Company
- BNC to BNC available
- RCA to mini-jack available from Chord Company
- Mini-jack to RCA available
- Mini-jack to mini-jack available
- BNC to mini-jack available from Chord Company
- 2 BNC to mini-jack M Scaler version available
- 0.5m standard length
- 1m standard length
- Custom lengths available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Clearway Digital?
Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY is a 75-ohm coaxial digital audio interconnect available with RCA, BNC and mono mini-jack connections.
Is Clearway Digital 75 ohms?
Yes. Chord Company's current specification explicitly states 75 ohms.
What conductor does it use?
Silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper.
Is the conductor multi-strand?
No. Chord Company's current specification describes Clearway Digital as solid core.
What conductor geometry does it use?
Chord Company Tuned ARAY.
What insulation does it use?
PTFE.
Did older Clearway Digital cables use polyethylene insulation?
Earlier manufacturer literature described gas-foamed polyethylene. The current Clearway Digital Tuned ARAY specification states PTFE.
How is Clearway Digital shielded?
Chord Company's current trade specification states high-density silver-plated combination braid and foil shielding.
What connector plating is used?
Chord Company currently specifies ChorAlloy™ plated connectors.
Did older Clearway Digital use silver-plated connectors?
Yes. Earlier versions were described with direct-silver-plated VEE 3 RCA and silver-plated BNC connectors. The current product specification has changed to ChorAlloy™.
Is Clearway Digital made in the UK?
Yes. Chord Company specifies that it is hand built in the UK.
What connector types are available?
RCA, BNC and 3.5mm mono mini-jack.
Does Chord Company make RCA to BNC?
Yes.
Does Chord Company make BNC to RCA?
Yes. Chord Company lists BNC-to-RCA separately from RCA-to-BNC.
Are RCA-to-BNC and BNC-to-RCA the same option?
No. Chord Company's trade catalogue lists them as separate product configurations, so order the orientation required by the source and receiving component.
Does Chord Company make RCA to 3.5mm?
Yes. A 1m RCA-to-3.5mm mono version is listed by the manufacturer.
Does it make 3.5mm to RCA?
Yes. Chord Company separately lists a 1m 3.5mm-to-RCA mono version.
Does it make 3.5mm to 3.5mm?
Yes. A 1m mono mini-jack-to-mini-jack version is listed.
Does it make BNC to mini-jack?
Yes. Chord Company lists a 1m BNC-to-mini-jack version.
What is the 2 BNC to 3.5mm cable?
Chord Company specifically identifies its 1m dual-BNC-to-mini-jack Clearway Digital as an M Scaler configuration.
Is the mini-jack stereo?
Chord Company's Clearway Digital catalogue describes the standard digital mini-jack connections as mono.
Can I plug the mini-jack into a headphone output?
Not simply because it fits. The mini-jack version is designed for compatible coaxial digital connections, not an ordinary analogue headphone output.
What standard lengths does Chord Company specify?
The current main product page identifies 0.5m and 1m as standard lengths.
Can I order longer lengths?
Yes. Chord Company states that custom lengths are available to order.
Are Audio T's 1.5m, 2m and 3m versions valid?
Yes. Chord Company supports custom lengths, provided the required connector configuration is correctly specified.
Can I connect a CD transport to a DAC?
Yes, where both components provide compatible coaxial digital connections and the correct Clearway Digital termination is selected.
Can I use Clearway Digital with a streamer?
Yes. Chord Company specifically identifies streaming devices among compatible coaxial digital sources.
Can Audio T help identify the correct termination?
Yes. With mixed RCA, BNC and mini-jack connections, we strongly recommend checking the exact input and output on both components before ordering.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help identifying the correct RCA, BNC or mini-jack configuration
- Source-to-destination termination checking
- M Scaler cable compatibility guidance
- Custom-length enquiries
- Digital source and DAC matching
- C-digital versus Clearway Digital advice
- Coaxial versus optical connection guidance
- System demonstrations where available
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you need help identifying the correct Clearway Digital connector orientation, length or specialist configuration for your equipment.