Esprit Celesta XLR Interconnect – Handmade in France

Esprit gives every XLR interconnect one plain task: carry the signal from one point to another and take as little from it as possible. An XLR interconnect cannot add information to what your components extract, the company notes, but a careless design can take some away.

The Esprit Celesta XLR Balanced Interconnect is a pair of balanced interconnects from Esprit's Celesta range. Each Celesta XLR interconnect is made by hand in Confolens, in France's Charente region, in 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m pairs.

“They were also impressively transparent, yet extended the bass further than I expected my LS5/9s could go.”

— Janine Elliot, Hifi Pig, reviewing the previous-generation Celesta cables (2022)

A step up

Celesta marks a clear step up in the Esprit hierarchy, and the Celesta XLR interconnect is built to make that step. Esprit's goal at this level is a quieter, more stable and more natural transmission, which the Celesta XLR interconnect shares with every Celesta link. Celesta also introduces a partial-shielding concept, which Esprit credits with a more breathing, homogeneous presentation, and the Celesta XLR interconnect uses it. Richard Cesari has been making cables since 1996, and the Celesta XLR interconnect carries three decades of that work.

Made by hand in Confolens

Esprit's team designs and assembles the Celesta XLR interconnect by hand in its workshop in Confolens, Charente. Richard Cesari insists that assembly counts as much as materials, so each Celesta XLR interconnect is checked at every stage of the work. The first complete check of the Celesta XLR interconnect is made by the person who built it, and nothing moves on until it has been validated.

Listening

Esprit describes Celesta's sound as refined, open and coherent, and it points to clearer micro-information and a more stable stage from the Celesta XLR interconnect.

The Celesta XLR interconnect combines PVC and silicone insulation: Esprit associates the firmer PVC with density and bass weight, and the softer silicone with a more fluid, open midrange and treble. 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 Celesta XLR interconnect as an extension of the conductor itself. Esprit specifies the shielding of the Celesta XLR interconnect as non-floating, full plus partially shielded.

Choosing your XLR interconnect

The Celesta XLR interconnect is level 3 of Esprit's nine, above Beta and below Eterna. The Celesta XLR interconnect comes in 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 m lengths. If you would like a second opinion on the Celesta XLR interconnect for your system, we're happy to talk it through. The full Esprit collection shows the Celesta XLR interconnect alongside the rest of the family.

Specifications

Questions

How does the Celesta XLR interconnect differ from the Beta XLR interconnect?

The Celesta XLR interconnect sits one level above the Beta XLR interconnect. Compared with 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 Celesta XLR interconnect use?

The Celesta 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 Celesta XLR interconnect included, has an interface matched to it.

Which length of the Celesta XLR interconnect should I choose?

Measure the run between the two components and add a little slack so the Celesta XLR interconnect is not under tension. The Celesta 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 Celesta XLR interconnect cost?

The Celesta XLR interconnect is $1,099 for 0.6 m, $1,599 for 1.2 m, $2,099 for 1.8 m and $2,599 for 2.4 m per pair. Sales tax is included in the price of the Celesta XLR interconnect, and we deliver it free anywhere in the USA.

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

Esprit builds every Celesta XLR interconnect by hand in its workshop in Confolens, France. The Celesta 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.