Announcing Neptune^TM!

A new variant on the balanced line connector is now here.

The Neptune^TM connector has been designed from the ground up as a dedicated balanced line connector component for high end audio and professional audio. With so many manufacturers 'interpreting' the standard for xlr design and then having to cope with all the variants from each manufacturer it is not possible, with so many manufacturers in so many different locations, to maintain uniformity of fit in the xlr design. The Neptune^TM was designed to bypass all problems of fit while enabling for the absolute best in signal transfer at the critical connector to connector interface.  This has been achieved!  Utilising Pure Copper pins that have been heavily silver electroplated ( > 25 microns ), the Neptune^TM connector has these pins firmly secured into a UHMW/PE body ( Ultra High Molecular Weight / Polyethylene ).

Principal advantages of the Neptune^TM Connector are:

Uniformity in dimensional construction, materials and fit.
 

What this means is that all dimensional aspects relating to fit and connectivity never vary.
There is no sloppy mating of the male and female counterparts.
The fit is the same every time the components are inserted; firm and true.
Material quality is the highest possible and quality control is second to none.
What this allows is the absolute best efficient transfer of signal at each transfer interface where the Neptune^TM is used.
Neptune^TM connectors are manufactured only by Bocchino Audio.

How it works:
The three pins are laid out evenly at 120 degrees on a pcd of 14.5mm with one single alignment nose to guarantee exact mating every time the connectors are inserted.
Male to Female coupling is secured with an oversize CollarLock that screws deeply over the Female chassis connector  from the Male cable connector and holds it securely: you can tow a truck with this coupling ( though I  don't recommend it ).
The Neptune^TM connector system is  radically simpler than the old xlr system.
Instead of following the protocol of the xlr system the Neptune^TM connector  follows the same protocol as  the RCA, namely:

All chassis mounts are female.
All cable connectors are male.

Component Parts:

Male Cable Connector:
Consists of a Rear Glove that has 6 fastening set screws to hold the interconnect cable in position.
Maximum Cable insert diameter is 19.00 mm.
The Main Bush.
A CollarLock for mating to the Female Cable Connector.
52mm long x 45mm maximum diameter.
 

Female Chassis Connector.
No Glove.
Flange dimensions are: 62mm wide x 47mm high x 6mm thick.
Using 4 x M4 x 15mm long Countersunk bolts for mounting.
Bush Dimensions: 63.0mm long with flange dimensions as maximum width dimensions.
Internal signature with 5.0mm interface: 16 - 21mm.
( 16.0mm refers to 5.0mm interface thickness; 21mm refers to minimal interface thickness ).
 

Male Microphone Connector.
No Glove
Bush only: 52mm long requiring an M26 x 3 thread for internal mounting to the Microphone body.
45mm diameter with CollarLock
 

Female Microphone Connector
No Glove
Bush only: 50mm long requiring an M26 x 3 thread for internal mounting to the Microphone body.
40.0mm diameter.
Comes with CollarLock to mate to male.

Copper Pins.
The Pure Copper Pins ( 99.94%+Cu ) have an insertion cylinder 14mm long and 4.1mm in diameter.
This allows cable core up to 4.1mm in diameter to be inserted into a mounting depth of 14mm and secured in place with 2 x M4 set screws.
Alternatively you can just solder.
My preference and experience points to the benefits of inserting the cable wire core, doped with Copper Paste, into the insertion cylinders and securing the cable wire core with the set screws with a shim of copper ( or brass )  between the base ot the set screws and the cable wire core.
( The shim ensures that the set screws do not shear the core's wires ).

Pin topology is concentric going from 8.0mm at the rear to smaller at the front for the interface connection.
This guarantees uniformity of fit of the pin into its bush and into its corresponding mate.
Pins are secured to never move!

Dimensions:
( All in millimetres )

 
Maximum Width includes the width of the CollarLock.
( Dimensions in Brackets are  maximum Bush only Diameter )
Maximum Length includes the Collar Lock Fully extended.
Dimension in brackets is the connector length without the CollarLock fully extended.
External Signature is the proud distance that the Chassis assembly will sit from the external interface panel.
Internal Signature is the proud interface that the Chassis Assembly will sit into the appliance from the internal interface panel.
Maximum interface thickness is the thickest interface that the chassis connector will straddle.
( Other deeper interfaces can be accommodated for on request )

Microphone Female // Male: These are the bare bush with an M26 x 3mm thread for insertion directly into a Microphone body. The Female has a CollarLock.

 
Neptune^TM Component Parts:
Pricing for UHMW/PE insulator only.
ALL PRICES LISTED ARE IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS
Foreign Exchange Currency Calculator
Click here for other thermplastics pricing
 

 
Neptune^TM connectors are not compatible with XLR connectors.
Neptune^TM connectors are a stand alone system of connectors.
Neptune^TM connectors are not to be used for the transmission of electricity in the same manner as a power lead.
Neptune^TM connectors are low voltage connectors only, for interconnect use in audio appliances and not power transmission.
Neptune^TM connectors use the same wiring topology as the normal balanced line connectors,
positive on the top right of the male while face on;
negative on the bottom pin of the male while face on:
shield on the left of the male while face on.
Neptune^TM connectors are spaced at the following centers: 65mm horizontally and 55mm vertically.

Benefits.
*** Better dimensional stability at the coupling interface.
***Worry free operation of all connections irrespective of their location.
***Elimination of mechanical vibrational artefacts in the signal path thus ensuring better musical fidelity.

Its the quality of the final audio signal that is the principal benefit of using these new connectors.
The silver to silver mating of the Pure Copper pins ensures minimal skin effect noise while maximising signal transfer efficiency.
Consequently the dynamic range is increased to the maximum possible with todays conductors; transient response is the fastest possible for any audio connector. The result is fatigue free listening to music and a deeper and more involving perspective of the music being heard.

Utilising only Silver electroplate, as opposed to an outer of Hard Gold Electroplate  ( HGP ).
There are many in the industry who want to see the total elimination of Nickel and other paramagnetic elements in the electroplating cycle. The HGP process uses very small amounts of either Nickel or Cobalt to ensure hardness and tenacity of the gold to its substrate. Though HGP is 97%+ Gold it is also contains some Cobalt. Soft Gold is not an option as it
readily rubs off its substrate.
Further, Silver is the absolute best electrical conductor: ( better than copper which is better than gold ).
HGP is available if required.

Tarnishing is often cited as a reason for not utilising silver in electrical connectors, but tarnishing is only pertinent to sulphide atmospheres; it takes a very long time for silver to tarnish in normal use and as it is constantaly being inserted into connector tight grips interfaces, in the Neptune^TM connectors, then it really is not an issue.
Using Caig DeoxIT spray on a regular basis ( once yearly ) will minimise, if not stop, tarnishing forming or taking hold.
The benefits of staying with the Silver Electroplate are that the efficiency of signal transmission is at its maximum best.

AntiVibration:
Long Signal Pins held firmly in for their full length in the best insulators ensure that vibrational artefacts are virtually eliminated; Producing crystal clear audio, a quality, that has to be heard to be believed.

Principal Uses:

Principally in Pro Audio between critical interfaces for Voice, Mastering and final Mixing.

For High End Audio Systems

For Pro Audio loudspeaker enclosures that currently utilise xlr connectors.
Neptune^TM connectors will not disengage!

Versatility.
The Neptune^TM signal pins can be ordered to accommodate any number of complex connectors.
A 7 or 11 pin connector assembly in both male and female cable and chassis configurations is available.
Any number of pins can be designed; with corresponding m/f coupling components.
POA.

Cryogenic.
There are some manufacturers that use cryogenic reshaping. Neptune^TM is capable of being cryogenically dipped. This is up to the client. UHMW/PE is a very versatile polymer and does not suffer from cryogenic dipping.
 

Principal differences between xlr and Neptune^TM  connectors.
 
 

 

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( Other insulator materials  available,some at extra cost. These  are: Teflon, PEEK, Torlon and Delrin, even Aurum, click this link for the pricing table.
 
 

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