Topic: Neutrik Nanocons

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Though I'd start a thread about these.   How are they?  Any tips?

They're a bit pricey and the info I found at neutrik seemed somewhat limited.

It wasn't clear whether the pins require a crimper.  Do they solder on?

I do see some new inexpensive mini-xlr's from neutrik, but they are only offered in female.

It looked like Allied might have the best prices at this time.

[tgakidis]

Pretty slick, looks like it's a solder type.

http://www.neutrik.com/jp/en/industry/210_251071069/NSC3F_detail.aspx

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I have a tricky project that's been dogging me for a while.  I have some colettes that are epoxied.  The cables are canare mini star quad, and have become Extremely stiff.

I need to splice in some new cable (planning 1804a).  The gotcha is getting the shielding right.  My first attempt at soldering the conductors, and then extending the shield over, was a failure.  It had hum when touched.   Part of the problem is that only parts of the shield were connected, and shield coverage was far from complete.

I've been considering using mini-xlr's.  But now.. The nanocons look like the ticket.  I don't really need so much strain relief, since neither end is anchored; so they end up a bit long when assembled in-line.  Neutrik seems to target the nanocons for industrial, not audio, use.  I know there are shielded mini-xlrs.

I'm wondering if I'm missing any alternatives or splicing techniquies?  The nanocons have the great advantage of allowing future cable replacement.

[DexterM]

I Came Here Looking For The Same Question. Someone With First Hand Experience Would Be Most Obliged.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I would not attempt star-quad in a nanocon, it's just too tight.  I also don't see a reliable method to attaching the chassis to pin 1 or the cable shield.  I think it would be best done inside the capsule.

If you have to have star-quad I'd stick with mini-XLRs, it's easy to solder the cable shield to the strain relief for full shielding, and you have plenty of room for four signal wires.

Thanks Jon, that helps.

I am stuck with the star quad.  Near as I can tell, the colettes are full of epoxy.  I've left about 6" of the existing star quad in place.

Do you have a particular brand of mini-XLR you prefer?  I see some are better shielded than others.

I'm also considering using a metal barrel over the connection.  I'd gather up the shields and connect them with a drain wire, which would also be soldered to the barrel.  This would have the advantage of being much shorter than the mini-xlr pair, but it would not have the serviceability benefits of mini-xlrs.