SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

1.

SERVICE MANUAL

MYTH 9

COMPACT DISC

PLAYER

STOP PREV TIME SHU F REPEAT STBY

PLAY NEXT PAUSE PROG PEAK OPEN

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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1. UNPACKING.......................................................................................................................................3

2. CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER.............................................................................................3

3. THE CD PLAYER AT A GLANCE......................................................................................................4

Front panel................................................................................................................................................... 4

Rear panel ...................................................................................................................................................5

4. OPERATION .......................................................................................................................................6

Power on...................................................................................................................................................... 6

Playing a CD................................................................................................................................................6

Different time display ...................................................................................................................................6

Playing a different track ...............................................................................................................................6

Playing tracks in a different order.................................................................................................................6

Program Play (PROG) .................................................................................................................................7

Programming tracks.....................................................................................................................................7

Playing the programmed tracks ...................................................................................................................7

To stop Program Play ..................................................................................................................................7

Shuffle Play (SHUF).....................................................................................................................................7

Repeat Play (REPEAT)................................................................................................................................ 7

To temporarily halt Play (PAUSE)................................................................................................................8

To stop Play (STOP)....................................................................................................................................8

Power off...................................................................................................................................................... 8

Special modes for recording CD’s................................................................................................................8

The PEAK mode..........................................................................................................................................8

The FADE mode..........................................................................................................................................8

5. THE SPHINX REMOTE CONTROL....................................................................................................9

Buttons.........................................................................................................................................................9

Operation...................................................................................................................................................10

Selecting without switching........................................................................................................................10

Batteries.....................................................................................................................................................10

Encountering problems..............................................................................................................................10

6. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.......................................................................................................11

7. ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES........................................................................................................12

8. PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS .......................................................................................................13

9. DIAGRAMS AND PARTS LIST........................................................................................................14

General Overview Myth 9...........................................................................................................................15

Power Supply ............................................................................................................................................. 16

D/A converter.............................................................................................................................................17

Input / Output.............................................................................................................................................18

Display.......................................................................................................................................................19

Parts List....................................................................................................................................................20

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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The Sphinx Myth 9 design

This service manual will help you to optimally
service and repair the Sphinx Myth 9 CD player.

The heart of this very special CD player is formed
by the newest Philips CDM-12.4 transport
mechanism.

Two independent Bitstream D/A converters will
guarantee unsurpassed detailed audio
reproduction.
A unique feature is that the output sections are of a
totally discrete Class A design.
The “O core” power transformer uses completely
separated sections for the digital and analogue
supply. Combined with the integrated power line
suppression filter this ensures an extremely high
S/N ratio.

Almost all functions are accessible with the supplied
Sphinx Remote Control.

To obtain the maximum quality from this CD player
it is necessary to use it with top quality audio
components, preferably with other Sphinx
components.

1. UNPACKING

Before leaving the factory every Myth 9 is subjected
to stringent and extensive technical and exterior
quality inspection.
This ensures you will enjoy many years of high
quality audio performance from a perfect-looking
product.

After unpacking your Myth 9 we therefore
recommend you carefully check it for any transport
damage.

Even if the component is in perfect condition you
should still keep the packing materials. If you need
to transport your Myth 9 at a later time it will be best
protected by the original packing materials.

2. CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER

In case of any problem not covered in this manual
or if you have other questions you may contact the
Sphinx International Service Department in The
Netherlands (local time: GMT +1h) during office
hours at the following numbers:

Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]

It is always very helpful and efficient if you have all
relevant information about the specific product and
the problem ready.

Please also refer to the User Manual of the
Myth 9 for information about functions not
described in this manual.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the
special functions, operation and possibilities
of the Sphinx Myth 9.

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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3. THE CD PLAYER AT A GLANCE

Front panel

1. CD tray: To be opened with the OPEN button.
Place the CD here.
To close: press the OPEN button or the PLAY
button or softly push against the front of the tray.

2. STOP: To stop CD playback.

3. PREV: To select a lower number track.
If you hold the button depressed it will activate a
fast reverse search in the current track.

4. TIME: This button selects the timer mode (right­hand side of display):

l Remaining Track Time,
l Total Remaining Time,
l Track Time.

5. SHUF: To select the Shuffle Play mode, which
plays the tracks in random order. The SHUFFLE
indication will light.

6. REPEAT: To activate the Repeat Play mode. The
Play, Shuffle Play and Program Play modes will
be repeated until you deactivate the function.
The REPEAT indication will light.

7. STBY: To switch the CD player on and off. The
LED next to the button indicates the selected
function:
on LED is off
off LED is red

8. Receptor window for the IR signals from the
Remote Control.

9. Display: This will show all important data (more
information can be found on page 6)

10. PLAY: To start playback of the track indicated in
the left-hand side of the display
Note: If the CD tray is still open, it will close
automatically.

11. NEXT: To select a higher number track.
If you hold the button depressed it will activate a
fast forward search in the current track.

12. PAUSE: To temporarily interrupt the CD
playback. The display will show the PAUSE
indication. Pressing this button again (or PLAY)
will resume playback.

13. PROG: To select the Program mode: this enables
you to play only certain selected tracks. The
display will show »PROGR« and the PROGRAM
indication will blink.

14. PEAK: Pressing this button during STOP
activates the Peak Search mode. The PEAK
indication will light.
Pressing this button during Play mode activates
the Fade mode.

15. OPEN: To open and close the CD tray.

STOP PREV TIME SHU F REPEAT STBY

PLAY NEXT PAUSE PROG PEAK OPEN

1

23456

789

10111213141

5

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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Rear panel

1. OUTPUT L and R: Connect this to the CD input
of the amplifier.

2. Control IN and OUT: To connect the optical
cable from the pre-amplifier and to the next
Sphinx component (e.g. tuner).

3. Manufacturer’s label: This shows important
data for the component, such as serial number
and mains power voltage.

4. Warning!: This shows important information
about the safety regulations for the Myth 9.

5. AC Power: Connect the mains cable to a mains
power outlet (100 - 240 VAC). Mains power
switch for the CD player.
The mains fuse is placed behind the cover.

Warning!

!

Do not open!
High voltage inside!
Do not expose this unit
to rain or moisture.

ACVoltage:230V/60Hz.

Max.Power: 40W

Made in The Netherlands
Manufactured by :

Sphinx Laboratories

Fuse: 0,5AT

OUTPUT

CONTROL

IN OUT

L

R

1

234

5

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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4. OPERATION

Connect the mains cable to a mains outlet.
Once you have finished connecting all components,

you can power on the Myth 9 with the mains switch
O / I (23).

The STBY LED (13) will light. The CD player is now
in standby mode.
From now on you should switch the CD player on or
off with the m STBY button (13).
That way, all circuits will remain at optimum
operating temperatures and the audio quality will be
100% immediately after switching on. Additionally it
significantly increases the life span of the
component.

Power on

Switch the Myth 9 on with the m STBY button.
It automatically checks whether there is a CD in de
tray (the display shows »READ«). If there is no CD
the display will show »noDISC«.

Playing a CD

Press the m OPEN button (12): the tray opens.
Place a CD in the tray and close it with the m OPEN
button (or the m PLAY button or by gently pushing
the tray inwards).
When the tray is closed the display shows »READ«
after which you will see the total number of tracks
(max. 99, left) and the total playing time of the CD
(right) in minutes:seconds. The lower horizontal row
of numbers indicates all tracks that have not been
played (in this case all of them).

With a press on m PLAY you start the playback of
Track 1. The display now shows the track number
(left) and the track’s playing time from the start
(right). This last indication will increase as long as
the CD is playing.
All tracks will be played sequentially in the normal
order.

Different time display

With the m TIME button you may select between
three different time displays. TRACK TIME is the
default. With each press on the button you then
select in this order:
 REM TRACK TIME: remaining track time or
 TOTAL REM TIME: remaining CD time or
 TRACK TIME: track time from start of play.

Playing a different track

If you would like to play another track then you may
select it in a number of ways.

l Each press on the m NEXT button will select the

next (higher number) track.
Example: To select track 5 while track 1 is playing

depress the m NEXT button 4 times. The display
shows the new track number (left) and in the 1-15+
line the numbers from track 5 to the last will be lit.

l Each press on the m PREV button will select the
previous (lower number) track.
From track 1 you select the last track on the CD with
one button push.
The display shows the new track number (left) and
in the 1-15+ line the numbers from the current track
to the last will be lit.

l From the Remote you may directly select the
track number with the m 1-0 buttons (for more
information, see page 10).

Playing tracks in a different order

Normally the tracks are played in the order of the
CD. There are however three modes that allow you
to change the playing order and even can prevent
tracks from playing altogether.
The three modes are Program Play (PROG), Shuffle
Play (SHUF) and Repeat Play (REPEAT).

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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Program Play (PROG)

With Program Play you can change the playback of
a CD:
 Only play the tracks you want to hear (and thus

skip the others).
 Play certain tracks a number of times.
 Change the complete playing order.
 Select those tracks that exactly fill one side of a

tape.
To do this you first have to select the wanted tracks
and program them into memory. Then you can start
Program Play mode.
Note: Tracks will be played in the order of
programming.

Programming is only possible when the CD has
stopped (STOP). If you press the m PROG button
during Play mode the display will show » GO TO
STOP «, while nothing further will happen.

Programming tracks

l Press the m PROG button.
The display shows »PROGR« and the PROGRAM
indication (right) blinks.
l Select the first track with the m NEXT or m PREV
button.
The display shows under TRACK the track number.
l Press the m PROG button to store the track in
memory.
The display will show:
 Under TRACK: the programmed tracks (in this

case 1…).
 Under TOTAL TIME the total playing time of the

program.
 In the 1-15 line all the selected tracks.
Note: To play the selected track more than once,
press the m PROG button the required number of
times.

l Select all other tracks with the same method.
After each selection the display will be updated.
Note: You can program up to 30 tracks. If you try to
program more the display will show » FULL «.
Note: If you have selected a wrong track you can
not delete it from the program. You then have to
press the m STOP button twice and redo the whole
Programming procedure.

Playing the programmed tracks

After you have finished programming the tracks you
can start playing the program.
l Press the m PLAY button. The PROGRAM
indication (right) will light and playing starts with the
track that has been programmed first. All selected
tracks will then be played in the order of
programming.
l You may also press the m PAUSE button. The
CD player first locates the start position of the first
programmed track and then selects Pause mode.
This might be handy when recording a tape. You
first can select the recorder to record-ready and
position the tape at the correct position. You may
start Program Play with another press on the
m PAUSE button.
Note: If you select the TOTAL REM TIME display
with the m TIME button the display will show the
remaining time for the program.

To stop Program Play

To temporarily stop Program Play: press the

m STOP button once. Pressing the m PLAY button
will resume Program Play.
To stop Program Play completely: press the
m STOP button twice.
The display then will show the same CD data as
right after placing a new CD in the tray.

Shuffle Play (SHUF)

The Shuffle Play mode lets you play the tracks in
random order during Play and Program Play modes.
The m SHUF button activates this mode (the
SHUFFLE indication will light) and random play will
start immediately.
At any time you may de-activate this mode with
another press on the m SHUF button. The playback
will continue and after the current track the next
track will now be played and not a random track.

Repeat Play (REPEAT)

The Repeat mode will repeat the selected Play
mode: Play, Program Play and Shuffle Play. There
are two options.
 Repeat 1: Play will be repeated once.
 Repeat: Play will be repeated continuously.
You may select the Repeat 1 mode by pressing the
m REPEAT button once: the REPEAT1 indication
will light.
With a second press you select the Repeat mode:
the REPEAT indication will now be lit.
Another press de-activates the mode.

SPHINX Myth 9 Service Manual

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To temporarily halt Play (PAUSE)

All Play modes can be temporarily interrupted with
the m PAUSE button. Another press on this button
(or on the m PLAY button) will resume Play mode.

To stop Play (STOP)

Pressing the m STOP button during any mode will
de-activate this mode completely, the CD will stop
and the display will show the same CD data as right
after placing a new CD in the tray.
At any time you can also press the m OPEN button:
all modes will stop immediately and the tray will
open.

Power off

You switch the Myth 9 off (to stand-by) with the
m STBY button (13).

Special modes for recording CD’s

Recording a CD is highly simplified with two special
modes: Peak and Fade. The first will automatically
find the loudest signal level on the CD, the second
enables you to fade tracks in and out.
The m PEAK button (10) activates the:
 Peak mode when the CD has stopped (STOP)
 Fade mode when the CD is playing.

The PEAK mode

In Peak mode the CD player scans and analyses
the CD (the PEAK indication will blink). Finally the
display will show under TRACK the track number
and under TRACK TIME the time code of the
loudest part on the CD.
About 3 sec of this part will then continuously be
repeated (the time display will fallback to the starting
point) and the signal is sent to the output.
You can now simply adjust the recording level of the
recorder to the maximum value. So you don’t have
to worry about sudden signal peaks causing
distortion or noise caused by too low a recording
level!
You may de-activate the Peak mode by pressing the
m PLAY, m STOP or m OPEN button.

The FADE mode

With the Fade mode you can fade-out a track
(slowly decrease the level to 0), create a longer
space between two tracks and fade-in a track.
During Play mode (with the correct track and at the
correct moment!) press the m PEAK button. The
display will show sequentially (this will take some 5
seconds):

» FADE ≡≡ «
» FADE = «

» FADE − «
At the same time the signal level is slowly reduced
to 0 (fade-out) and the Pause mode is selected. The
display shows the PAUSE indication (left), the track
number and the time at which the track has been
halted.

To resume playback you have two options:

1. Pressing the m PEAK button resumes playback
and the display will show (this takes some 5
seconds):

» FADE − «
» FADE = «

» FADE ≡≡ «
At the same time the signal level is slowly increased
from 0 to the previous level (fade-in).

2. Pressing the m PAUSE or m PLAY button will
extinguish the PAUSE indication and the track will
resume playback, only now with the level
immediately at maximum: there is no fade-in!