which spectrum?

[zhulien]

Hi everyone,


I want to buy a Spectrum.  In the past I owned a Spectrum +3 for a period, but at the time I never really got into it.  I want to get another spectrum.  These days there are DivIDE and other SD card readers for spectrum that didn't used to exist, so I am thinking the floppy driver of the Spectrum +3 no longer matters.  I have no plan to use CP/M on it - the CPC is better for that, and the need for using CP/M is getting less and less on that too.


What is the recommended Spectrum I should get these days?  Spectrum+, Spectrum +3, JustSpectrum128k? Something else?

[LambdaMikel]

I would get the toast rack if you can get one and afford it.

[DanyPPC]

The better ones are 128k Toastrack and 128k +2 grey model, but all the 128k Spectrum have the sound bug = AY and Beeper are not equally balanced. A little fix exists.


As clone I own a Just Speccy 128 and it's fantastic as it hasn't bug and incorporate divmmc functions.


There are other clones like Harlequin too.

[chinnyhill10]

What is the recommended Spectrum I should get these days?  Spectrum+, Spectrum +3, JustSpectrum128k? Something else?

Grey +2 with a  Div MMC Future from The Future Was 8 Bit. [size=78%]https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/sinclairmmcfuture.html[/size]


The grey +2 is affordable and has Amstrad build quality not Sinclair. Amstrad only had a few weeks to put it together so not much has actually changed from the toast rack but you get a built in tape recorder and better build quality. Tape belt may need replacing but that is 10 minutes and a couple of quid. You can also run it from a standard centre negative 9V PSU meaning you can pick up units missing their PSU cheaply and just use your own.


Toastracks are very expensive to buy. Black +2's and +3's have more complex PSU's which are harder to replace and there are minor niggles with some of the revisions (distorted audio on the +3 for example).

[zhulien]

I saw on ebay the toastrack ones, but couldn't find what toastrack refers to anywhere, why is it called toastrack?

[zhulien]

Grey +2 with a  Div MMC Future from The Future Was 8 Bit. [size=78%]https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/sinclairmmcfuture.html[/size]

cool site, one i had never been to before.

[Token]

You can also run it from a standard centre negative 9V PSU meaning you can pick up units missing their PSU cheaply and just use your own.


Toastracks are very expensive to buy. Black +2's and +3's have more complex PSU's which are harder to replace and there are minor niggles with some of the revisions (distorted audio on the +3 for example).

I have a +2B, bought it cheap long time ago without the PSU. So I made a small cable DC adaptor for a Meanwell 5V PSU . Everything I tested works well. (from tape). Now I wonder if it could work with a Div MMC.

[VincentGR]

Toastrack is great but expensive.
Get a grey +2, he is the most compatible from the other Amstrad models.

[chinnyhill10]

I have a +2B, bought it cheap long time ago without the PSU. So I made a small cable DC adaptor for a Meanwell 5V PSU . Everything I tested works well. (from tape). Now I wonder if it could work with a Div MMC.

Yes it can. The disadvantage with the black models is they aren't quite as compatible. While everything you've tested works, some things may not and I found with an MMC the compatibility wasn't as good as a 2a. Memory timings apparently and down to different chips being used.

[chinnyhill10]

I saw on ebay the toastrack ones, but couldn't find what toastrack refers to anywhere, why is it called toastrack?

It's because of the big metal heatsinks on the side looking like a toast rack.

[chinnyhill10]

BTW anyone buying a +2a, replace the voltage regulator when you get it as a matter of course. Stops the RAM running hot. Really easy and no soldering on the board required. The regulator is attached via  fly lead to the heatsink. All you do is desolder the wires and put the new one in.


I regularly see units heading towards 6v and the RAM runs cooler when you have a new regulator in and its a rock steady 5v. Takes 5 minutes and 50p for the replacement.

[Token]

Yes it can.

Nice. I might buy a MMC if it works with a +2B and 5V only.

About the software compatibility, no problem (I knew it) just I expected some problems without the dual voltage original PSU and 5V only.
I run something like a hundred of software, but I didn't run yet a game that can crash with the +2B. Lucky. Too bad if it's even worse with the MMC, but it's ok for me, I like the +2B.

When I made the mod I have read everywhere it required the 12V. Just to see if the ZX from ebay worked I plugged 2 PSU then removed one and keep the 5V.

Do you know what does the -12V/+12V line from the original +2A/B +3 PSU?

[chinnyhill10]

Do you know what does the -12V/+12V line from the original +2A/B +3 PSU?

The +12v supplies the tape deck or disk drive. Without it they will not work. You must also not use a +2a supply on a +3 as it cannot supply enough power for the floppy drive.
The -12v DC supplies the some external expansions that plug into the keypad/midi/RS232 socket. If you are not using this socket you don't need it.

[Token]

The +12v supplies the tape deck or disk drive. Without it they will not work.

I use a Mean well 5V/4A  and I can load games or demos by the ZX +2B built in tape deck. With just 5V and only. So it's no true, it really works. But for a 3" disk drive, I think that it's right.

I wondered with the midi/RS232 socket, so thanks.

[zhulien]

Of all the Speccy's on ebay at the moment, the 3 that I think look most interesting are the following:



https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sinclair-ZX-Spectrum-tested-Working/123729727631?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ZX-Spectrum-128k-with-divMMC-future/223483895226?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sinclair-ZX-Spectrum-2-128k-and-Games/223489233991?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649


I chose the above 3 for a variety of reasons, one is price vs shipping (being in Australia, shipping is always expensive).  I cannot find a good Spectrum+3 with shipping cheaper than that Toastrack, so I am guessing that toastrack is the better choice.  The Spectrum+2 mainly because it has some games, the Spectrum+ because it's quite cheap and neat looking.


Which would you pick and why? 

[LambdaMikel]

The Amstrad Speccys are not original Speccys to me.
I'd choose the Toastrack, but too expensive. It is an authentic Sinclair and has highest collectible value.

[CraigsBar]

The Amstrad Speccys are not original Speccys to me.
I'd choose the Toastrack, but too expensive. It is an authentic Sinclair and has highest collectible value.

I don't get the amstrad negativity when it comes to the speccy. So the machines in question were made after the sinclair name was saved from certain failure and the life of the speccy was extended by a few years as a result. And yet you dislike this why? I have recently cleared out all of my speccy's in favour of a new old stock spectrum plus upgrade kit and a just speccy 128k. In my mind it is the perfect speccy. Small, better keyboard, AY and divmmc on board. What's not to like!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[VincentGR]

True, Alan gave them a real keyboard.
Before that they were carving the marble 

[LambdaMikel]

I don't get the amstrad negativity when it comes to the speccy. So the machines in question were made after the sinclair name was saved from certain failure and the life of the speccy was extended by a few years as a result. And yet you dislike this why? I have recently cleared out all of my speccy's in favour of a new old stock spectrum plus upgrade kit and a just speccy 128k. In my mind it is the perfect speccy. Small, better keyboard, AY and divmmc on board. What's not to like!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

I have a +2a myself, and of course it is a much better package than the previous Speccys and much more convenient to use.
I don't dislike it at all (otherwise it wouldn't be in my collection).
But that's not what a collector is looking for IMHO. As a collector I am looking for authenticity.
Not the third or fourth iteration of things (or remake or FPGA or emulator or ...)


The original (Rubber and 128k) Speccy is interesting exactly because of these limitations IMHO.


In short - I like Amstrad for CPC, and Sinclair for Spectrum.

[LambdaMikel]

Nice interview with the Designer, Richard Altwasser:


https://web.archive.org/web/20120316201646/http://yourcomputeronline.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/interview-the-engineer-behind-the-spectrum/