Installation guide
7
1. Introduction
Welcome
Congratulations, and thank you for purchasing the Merging Technologies Sphynx 2 audio converter. The
Sphynx 2 is an extremely powerful 8-channel audio converter for independent simultaneous analog-
to-digital (A/D), and optional digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion. The Sphynx 2 has a modular structure
enabling the use of up to 7 I/O modules.
For a more detailed description of the Sphynx 2, please look at the Merging website www.merging.com.
General introduction
The Sphynx 2 is jointly developed by Merging Technologies and Digital Audio Denmark (DAD) and is one
of the most advanced and sonically pure converter ever developed.
The sample rate capabilities of this unit allow for 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192 kHz,
DSD 1-bit 64FS, DSD 1-bit 128fs and even supports the new Philips DXD (Digital eXtreme Denition) 24
bit, 352.8kHz format for SACD production.
Sphynx 2 must be controlled from within the Pyramix screen via a simple RS422 link using DAD’s
DADman PC remote control software.
The modular design of the Sphynx 2 offers 8 channels of A to D conversion with the option of inserting up
to two 4 channel D to A cards resulting in the most cost-effective means of achieving 8 channels of AD-
DA in 1-bit DSD.
A range of audio interfaces for external equipment are available including MADI, SDIF3, AES-EBU, TDIF
and ADAT. Pyramix DSD users will probably require the MADI interface offering 8 channels of DSD/DXD
in a single MADI link and allowing two units to be synchronised using a second MADI link for the Pyramix
16 channel DSD system.
Before you start
· Place your Sphynx 2 on a hard and dry surface or mount it into a 19” rack, and leave plenty of room
for ventilation.
· In order to meet the EMC requirements of directives 89/336/EEC and 93/68/EEC, and in order to
obtain the high performance the Sphynx 2 is capable of, you must use good quality correctly shielded
cables for all external connections when installing the Sphynx 2. For the power connection, a
normal unshielded power cable with a proper ground can be used.
· Make sure that your sound system is at a safe volume level.
The following sections describe how to get started with installing and operating your Sphynx 2.
2. Control software installation
2.1 PC recommendation
The DADman software operates on any Pentium computer with Windows XP installed and needs one
free USB or RS422 port.