1.
USER MANUAL
MYTH 9 MK2
CD PLAYER
PL AY NEXT PAUSE PROG PEAK OPEN
STOP PREV T IME SHUF REPEAT ST BY
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
1. UNPACKING............................................................................................................................. 4
2. SPHINX WARRANTY CARD...................................................................................................... 4
3. THE CD PLAYER AT A GLANCE................................................................................................ 5
Front panel....................................................................................................................................................................5
Rear panel.....................................................................................................................................................................6
Display ...........................................................................................................................................................................7
4. INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS........................................................................................ 8
Installation .....................................................................................................................................................................8
Connecting the mains cable......................................................................................................................................8
Audio connections .......................................................................................................................................................8
Connecting the pre-amp.............................................................................................................................................8
Connecting the optical cable.....................................................................................................................................8
5. OPERATION ............................................................................................................................. 9
Power on........................................................................................................................................................................9
Playing a CD.................................................................................................................................................................9
Different time display ...................................................................................................................................................9
Playing a different track...............................................................................................................................................9
Playing tracks in a different order..............................................................................................................................9
Program Play (PROG).................................................................................................................................................9
Programming tracks.................................................................................................................................................9
Playing the programmed tracks...........................................................................................................................10
To stop Program Play.............................................................................................................................................10
Shuffle Play (SHUF)...................................................................................................................................................10
Repeat Play (REPEAT)..............................................................................................................................................11
To temporarily halt Play (PAUSE)............................................................................................................................11
To stop Play (STOP)..................................................................................................................................................11
Power off......................................................................................................................................................................11
Special modes for recording CD’s.........................................................................................................................11
The PEAK mode.........................................................................................................................................................11
The FADE mode.........................................................................................................................................................11
The best way to treat a CD.......................................................................................................................................11
Removing it from the box.......................................................................................................................................12
Cleaning ....................................................................................................................................................................12
Storing........................................................................................................................................................................12
7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................13
8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................13
2
Congratulations on your purchase of the Sphinx
Myth 9 Mk2 !
You are now part of an ever-increasing group of
quality-conscious audiophiles using Sphinx
products.
We are very proud of the tradition connected with
the SPHINX name, especially concerning audio
quality perfection.
This manual will help you to gain a maximum
amount of pleasure and quality from your new
Sphinx Myth 9 Mk2 CD player.
The Myth 9 Mk2 is a true 24 bit CD player using the
newest technology based on the Sphinx Project 32
CD player that received rave reviews all over the
world. Two independent high end Burr-Brown
PCM1716 24 bit 96 kHz sampling 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 “air 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.
In addition to the usual functions like Program,
Repeat and Shuffle Play, the Myth 9 Mk 2 also
offers a Peak / Fade mode for easy and troublefree recording from a CD.
By activating the Peak mode the player will search
for the highest signal level on the CD. After finding
this section it will be continuously repeated,
making it very easy for you to adjust the maximum
record level on the recorder. The Fade mode will
slowly decrease the output level to 0 after which
the CD player will select the Pause mode.
Almost all functions are accessible with the
supplied Sphinx CD player 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.
Please read this manual carefully before you
install or use the Myth 9 Mk2. It is important to
familiarise yourself with the special functions,
operation and possibilities of the Sphinx Myth
9 Mk2.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
Your local dealer will be able to answer any
questions concerning other Sphinx audio
components.
3
1. UNPACKING
Before leaving the factory every Myth 9 Mk2 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 Mk2 we therefore
recommend you carefully check it for any transport
damage.
In case of damage: please contact your Sphinx
dealer immediately and retain all packing
materials for possible proof of damage and
possible claims.
Even if the component is in perfect condition you
should still keep the packing materials. If you need
to transport your Myth 9 Mk 2 at a later time it will be
best protected by the original packing materials.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
2. SPHINX WARRANTY CARD
Please take this opportunity to fill out the warranty
card supplied by your local distributor.
Follow the instructions on the card or consult your
dealer.
Please send the card as soon as possible to the
return address.
4
123456789
10111213141
5
3. THE CD PLAYER AT A GLANCE
Front panel
PL AY NEXT PAUSE PROG PEAK OPEN
STOP PREV T IME SHUF REPEAT STBY
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
(right-hand side of display):
? Remaining Track Time,
? Total Remaining Time,
? Track Time.
5. SHUF: To select the Shuffle Play mode, which
plays the tracks in random order. The
SHUFFLE indicat ion 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
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
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.
5
Rear panel
1. OUTPUT L&R: Connect this to the left en right
CD inputs of the amplifier.
2. Control IN & 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 Mk2.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
5. AC Power: Connect the mains cable to a
mains power outlet (100 - 240 VAC).
The mains fuse is placed behind the cover.
6. Digital out: TOSHLINK digital output (optical)
for digital interlink with a separate DAC
module.
7. Digital out: COAX digital output (75 Ohm) for
digital interlink with a separate DAC module.
6
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
Display
SPACE TRACK PEAK REM TRACK TIME REPEAT 1
PAUSE SHUFFLE
FTS
(((O
8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1. TRACK: After ‘reading’ the data from a newly
placed CD and/or during STOP mode here you
will see the total number of CD tracks.
In all other modes the current track number is
shown here.
2. TIME : After ‘reading’ the data from a newly
placed CD and/or during STOP mode here you
will see the total playing time of the CD.
In all other modes this will show:
? TRACK TIME or
? REM TRACK TIME (remaining track time ) or
? TOTAL REM TIME (remaining CD time).
You may select one of these modes with the
TIME button (4).
3. 1 – 15 +: This line of numbers indicates all CD
tracks. If there are more than 15 the ‘+’ will also
light. The total amount of tracks is shown under
TRACK (1) in STOP mode.
During Program Play mode only the
programmed tracks will light.
As soon as a track has been played (during
any Play mode) the track number will be
extinguished. So only the remaining tracks tot
the last one will be lit.
8
8
8
4. PAUSE: Indicat es that the Pause mode is
activated with the PAUSE button (12).
5. (((O: Will light when you press a button on the
Remote that is ‘understood’ by the CD player.
Also indicates whether Remote Control
commands are properly received.
6. PEAK: Blinks when you have activated the Peak
mode with the PEAK button (14).
7. REPEAT 1: Lights after pressing the REPEAT
button (6) once. The Play mode will be
repeated only once.
Another press on the button will change the
indication to…
8. REPEAT: This indicates that the Play mode will
be repeated continuously.
Another press on the button will de-activate the
mode and extinguish the indication. This may
be done anytime during Play mode.
9. SHUFFLE: Indicates that the Shuffle Play mode
is activated with the SHUF button (5).
10. PROGRAM: Blinks during the Program mode
when selecting tracks.
Lights during Program Play mode.
8
PROGRAM
7
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
4. INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS
Installation
The Myth 9 Mk2 will not become very hot, so
placement is not critical, although you should not
place it on top of or near other heat -radiating
equipment (such as power amps) or in direct
sunlight.
If you use the CD player in a closed cabinet or on a
bookshelf, please ensure unrestricted ventilation
around the component.
To prevent any possible interference keep power
supply cables away from all audio cables.
If all these conditions are met, the Myth 9 Mk2 will
perform to the extremely high standards it is
designed for.
Connecting the mains cable
Before you connect the cable please check
whether the mains voltage indicated on the
manufacturer’s label on the rear panel is the
same as your local mains voltage.
If not: please contact your dealer and do not
connect the component to the mains.
You switch the CD player on or off with the ??STBY
button. This way the electronic circuits will be kept
at optimum working temperature so you can enjoy
maximum audio quality immediately after switching
on. Additionally it significantly increases the life
span of the component.
Connect the mains cable after you have connected
all other components in the system and have
double-checked all connections (see Chapter 5.).
Connecting the pre -amp
Connect OUTPUT L and R (1) to the appropriate CD
IN connectors of the amplifier using a normal cinch
cable (but of top quality!).
Connecting the optical cable
The Myth 9 Mk2 has a CONTROL IN and a
CONTROL OUT optical jack. It can therefore be
remotely switched on and off by another Sphinx
component and it can also remotely switch other
Sphinx components to stand-by.
When the CONTROL OUT of another Sphinx
component (most likely the pre-amp) is connected
to the CONTROL IN (2) of the Myth 9 Mk2, you do not
have to use the O / I switch (5). The CD player will
automatically select Stand-by mode as soon as the
other component is set to stand-by.
Through the CONTROL OUT (2) this control signal
may be sent to other Sphinx components (e.g.
tuner, power amps, etc.).
Ensure proper connection of the optical cables,
otherwise the LED next to the ??STBY button (7) on
the front panel may remain off even though the
stand-by mode is activated.
If the Myth 9 Mk2 is placed in strong direct sunlight
the stand-by mode may self -activate. In that case
you should place the supplied dummy connector in
the CONTROL IN (2) (but only if this is not being
used).
Audio connections
Before you start connecting equipment it is always
wise to check whether all the mains power cables
of all components are disconnected from the mains
outlets!
This will prevent any damage to the loudspeakers
and amplifiers caused by incorrect wiring or
settings.
Make sure you connect L and R properly. Most cinch
cables use Red for the Right channel and White or
Black for Left.
The cinch connectors on the Myth 9 Mk2's rear
panel have a red centre for the right channel and a
white one for the left channel.
When making the connections please refer to the
descriptions for parts 1. to 5. on page 5.
8
5. OPERATION
Power on
Switch the Myth 9 Mk2 on with the ??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 »noDI SC«.
Playing a CD
Press the ??OPEN button (15): the tray opens.
Place a CD in the tray and close it with the ??OPEN
button (or the ??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 ??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 ??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.
? Each press on the ??NEXT button will select the
next (higher number) track.
Example: To select track 5 while track 1 is playing
depress the ??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.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
? Each press on the ??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.
? From the Remote you may directly select the track
number with the ??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).
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 ??PROG button
during Play mode the display will show » GO TO
STOP «, while nothing further will happen.
Programming tracks
? Press the ??PROG button.
The display shows »PROGR« and the PROGRAM
indication (right) blinks.
? Select the first track with the ??NEXT or ??PREV
button.
The display shows under TRACK the track number.
? Press the ??PROG button to store the track in
memory.
9
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 ??PROG button the required number of
times.
? 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 ??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.
? Press the ??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.
? You may also press the ??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
??PAUSE button.
Note: If you select the TOTAL REM TIME display with
the ??TIME button the display will show the
remaining time for the program.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
At any time you may de-activate this mode with
another press on the ??SHUF button. The playback
will continue and after the current track the next
track will now be played and not a random track.
To stop Program Play
To temporarily stop Program Play: press the
??STOP button once. Pressing the ??PLAY button
will resume Program Play.
To stop Program Play completely: press the
??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 ??SHUF button activates this mode (the
SHUFFLE indication will light) and random play will
start immediately.
10
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
??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.
To temporarily halt Play (PAUSE)
All Play modes can be temporarily interrupted with
the ??PAUSE button. Another press on this button
(or on the ??PLAY button) will resume Play mode.
To stop Play (STOP)
Pressing the ??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 ??OPEN button:
all modes will stop immediately and the tray will
open.
Power off
You switch the Myth 9 Mk2 off (to stand-by) with the
??STBY button (7).
Special modes for recording CD’s
Recording a CD onto tape 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 ??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.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
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 lev el 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
??PLAY, ??STOP or ??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 ??PEAK button. The
display will sh ow 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 ??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 ??PAUSE or ??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!
The best way to treat a CD
The Myth 9 Mk2 CD player will ensure a uniquely
perfect CD reproduction quality. But only when all
other links in the audio chain are as prefect. The
CD is a sturdy medium and can take a lot of bad
handling without serious damage.
However, it is still important to handle the CD with
care. Al scratch or blob will not cause an immediate
audible problem thanks to the digital error
correction of the player. However, every time the
correction circuits have to correct something this
will have influence on the maximum obtainable
audio quality. The following tips will help you to
keep the CD’s is pristine condition.
11
Removing it from the box
Place the box on a table (or hold it in one hand). To
open the box: grab the sides of the cover (at the
position of the two ‘half moons’) with the thumb and
middle finger (of the other hand). Then press with
the index finger of the same hand on the mid-point
of the cover. You now can pull the sides up and
thus open the ‘latches’ which hold the cover.
Grab the rim of the CD with the thumb and middle
finger (at the open spaces in the box), with your
index finger depress the clamp in the centre and
you can easily remove the CD.
Hold the CD between thumb and middle finger and
immediately place it in the tray of the CD player.
To remove the CD from the player use the same
method but in reverse. With a slight push you can fix
the CD in the box under the clamp.
Never place CD’s anywhere unprotected but
transfer it straight from the player to their proper
box.
Never touch the shiny side with your fingers. Every
fingerprint will force the error correction to work
even harder.
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
Cleaning
If you always handle CD’s as described above,
there will really be no need to clean them. However
if you do have ‘dirty’ CD’s clean them as follows.
Use a very soft cloth and slightly rub from the centre
hole to the rim in straight lines while now and again
breathing on the CD surface.
Never use a circular rubbing motion (like polishing
a table or a car): this will damage the CD beyond
repair!
Storing
A CD should always be stored in its original box
(just like vinyl records). The normal environment in
the home will not pose any danger. However, you
should not place the CD in extreme heat, moisture
and direct sunlight.
12
SPHINX Myth 9 Mk2
7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Clean the exterior with a soft, lint -free, anti-static
cloth. Do not use force while wiping the surface.
To remove difficult stains use a few drops of
detergent on a moist cloth, sweep carefully and
wipe dry afterwards.
If some scratching occurs, please consult your
Sphinx dealer first. He can give you advice about
possible solutions.
8. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Transport Philips CDM -12.4
D/A converter Burr-Brown PCM-1716 24 bit, 96 kHz precision DAC
Completely independend for each channel
Bandwidth 0 - 20,000 Hz (+0/-0.2 dB)
Phase response error <0.3°
THD+N (IHF-A) <0.004% (2nd harm., 10 – 20,000 Hz)
IMD <0.01%
S/N ratio (IHF-A) >106 dB
Channel separation >70 dB
Output section Class A, discrete throughout
Outputs 2x cinch (gold-plated), digital out
Impedance <10 ?
Sphinx Control 1x optical IN, 1x optical OUT
Remote Control Sphinx dedicated CD player remote control
Power supply Internal, completely separate sections for digital and
Supply capacitance 18,800 µF total
Power consumption 11 W (9 W stand-by)
Dimensions (h x w x d) 75 x 434 x 330 mm
Weight 7 kg
This unit conforms to the EMC interference regulations issued by the EU and to the CE standards.
This unit complies with safety regulation VDE 0860 and therefore with international safety regulation IEC 65.
Technical specifications may be changed by SPHINX without prior notice if technical developments make this
necessary.
© 2002 Sphinxlab, Netherlands
www.sphinxlab.nl
Do not use polishing or cleaning agents: they may
damage the sensitive acrylic finish.
Do not use aerosol cleaning agents.
Most contain solvents, which might react with and
damage the acrylic finish.
analogue with integrated power line suppression
filter
13
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