Esprit Beta XLR Interconnect (Pair) – Handmade in France

Richard Cesari says the importance of the connectors on an XLR interconnect is enormously underestimated. Fit a brass connector or a poorly chosen plating to a very good XLR interconnect, he says, and it is as if you had soiled the signal.

The Esprit Beta XLR Balanced Interconnect is a pair of balanced interconnects from Esprit's Beta range. The Beta XLR interconnect is assembled by hand at Esprit's workshop in Confolens, in 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m pairs.

The idea

Inside Esprit, the Beta range goes by a nickname, the "cable killer", and the Beta XLR interconnect belongs to that family. Esprit builds Beta around fine-strand pure copper, optimized insulation and protection against high-frequency interference, the foundations of the Beta XLR interconnect. Its dielectrics are controlled and its shielding is adapted to each use, so the Beta XLR interconnect is protected in the way its own signal needs. The aim Esprit sets for the range is fluid, coherent transmission in analog and digital alike, and the Beta XLR interconnect is built to that brief.

By hand, in Charente

In Confolens, Charente, the Beta XLR interconnect is made the way Esprit has always worked, entirely by hand. Esprit says this hand method lets it control every step of making the Beta XLR interconnect and keep each one consistent. Each Beta XLR interconnect then passes two complete inspections, one by its assembler and one at final packing, before it leaves the workshop. It is unhurried work, and the Beta XLR interconnect is made at its pace.

How it sounds

Esprit describes the sound of the range as balanced, dynamic and remarkably legible, and it presents the Beta XLR interconnect as a foundation for a stable, musical system.

The Beta XLR interconnect is insulated in high-temperature PVC, which Esprit associates with a dense presentation and a firm foundation in the bass. Esprit has found that very fine strands help high-frequency detail, provided the insulation keeps the treble in check, and the Beta XLR interconnect uses fine-strand pure copper. Its connectors are Esprit's own Eh 50 type, built around a copper body with a silver-plated copper center pin (5-micron silver), because Esprit designs a connector on the Beta XLR interconnect as an extension of the conductor itself. Esprit specifies the shielding of the Beta XLR interconnect as non-floating, partially shielded.

Finding your place in the range

The Beta XLR interconnect is level 2 of Esprit's nine and the first level in which Esprit offers an XLR interconnect, below Celesta. The Beta XLR interconnect comes in 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m lengths. You can see the Beta XLR interconnect beside the other Esprit ranges in our Esprit collection.

Specifications

Questions

How does the Celesta XLR interconnect compare with the Beta XLR interconnect?

The Celesta XLR interconnect is the next level up from the Beta XLR interconnect. Where it differs from the Beta XLR interconnect, the Celesta XLR interconnect uses high-temperature PVC plus silicone insulation and shielding specified as non-floating, full plus partially shielded.

Which connectors does the Beta XLR interconnect use?

The Beta XLR interconnect uses Esprit Eh 50 connectors, which have a copper body with a silver-plated copper center pin (5-micron silver). Esprit has developed several connector generations so that each range, the Beta XLR interconnect included, has an interface matched to it.

Which length of the Beta XLR interconnect should I choose?

Measure the run between the two components and add a little slack so the Beta XLR interconnect is not under tension. The Beta XLR interconnect comes in 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m pairs, and a short, direct run is usually the simplest choice.

What does the Beta XLR interconnect cost?

The Beta XLR interconnect is $549 for 0.6 m, $749 for 1.2 m, $899 for 1.8 m and $1,099 for 2.4 m per pair. Sales tax is included in the price of the Beta XLR interconnect, and we deliver it free anywhere in the USA.

Where is the Beta XLR interconnect made, and when will it ship?

Esprit builds every Beta XLR interconnect by hand in its workshop in Confolens, France. The Beta XLR interconnect usually ships in about 2 weeks, with free delivery anywhere in the USA and sales tax included in the price.

From our boutique to your listening room

HiFi Boutique is an authorized Esprit dealer. Delivery is free anywhere in the USA, and sales tax is included in the price. Hand-built in France — usually ships in about 2 weeks.