Enhanced performance connector

A connector including a plug, and outlet and a connecting block each of which provides enhanced performance by reducing crosstalk. The plug includes contacts having a reduced amount of adjacent area between neighboring contacts and a load bar that staggers the wires to be terminated to the contacts. An outlet which mates with the plug includes contacts positioned in a contact carrier so that adjacent area between neighboring contacts is reduced. A connecting block includes pairs of contacts wherein the distance between contacts in a pair is smaller than the distance between sets of pairs. The connecting block also includes an improved tip that reduces untwisting of wire coupled to the connecting block.