It's so cool to see a real ZX Spectrum, Growing up in Russia, I only had a custom-made ZX-Spectrum, assembled by my mom's colleague, which he kindly gave to me
I have a +2A and the tape drive still works perfectly. I think it was sitting in a storage box for a long time with the previous owner, but, still, it's impressively solid.
The +2 Grey was our childhood ZX Spectrum. The manual says that the volume is adjustable for the 3 channels of the AY, from 0 to 15... bu tthe BEEPer is always at 15! Ouch!
Just to add to the black screen, if you use a zx-Vga-joy you get a picture with out using the zx spectrum rgb ports it by passes all the chips, just to see if it works "This interface is not signal converter, it works in parallel with internal graphics IC(ULA) taking video data directly from CPU and provides crystal clear picture on VGA monitors" for around £50 its well worth it,Keep the videos coming.
Great update Lee, I bought another +2 grey testerday so that I can give it to my son-in-law once I get all the mods done. I also ordered a couple of stereo sound mods for these from Bytedelight. I also bought a couple of the old car cassette adapters so he can load games intio it from his phone. 😁😁
Don't understand the title, you speak about the classic line? Yeah, the +2 Gray is the best from the classic line. But the best is to pick a modern recreation, cheaper and no maintenance issues for next 30 years :) Personally I'd go with a SiZif 512 for the classical line, but now with the Next getting more and more users I'll go with a Spectrum Next clone like the N-GO, Xberry Pi or ZxUno v4. 2 with 2Mb of RAM.
I agree. Having finally received my Kickstarter2 Next just over two months ago, I'd say the Next is the best way to experience the Spectrum in 2024. It has virtually 100% compatibility with 'legacy' software and hardware, and no more of the dreaded 'R Tape loading error' (unless you want to load your games and programs from a cassette player connected to your Next). I still have a fondness for my rubber-keyed Spectrum (which still works, apart from the right-hand side of the top row of keys - I've bought a new membrane to fit in my Spectrum). But the Next is a magnificent piece of equipment. The creators of the two Kickstarters have hinted at a third Kickstarter. If you're a Spectrum fan and there is another Kickstarter then my advice is to make a pledge for a Next.
I totally agree. I call the Spectrum+ style keyboard "Worlds best looking worst keyboard", that's exactly why I have my 128K Harlequin in a Rubberkey casing. I also have an original Toastrack (and mind you, it is an issue 9G 😁, yes, I am bragging) but it is more an object to touch, feel and smell, not for daily use. I use the Harlequin 128 as the daily driver, but if I didn't have that, maybe I would consider getting a Grey as the daily driver. I never had any interest in the Amstrad made Spectrums, and unless someone gifts me one, I don't intend to acquire any of them.
I was thinking about the +3e Rom it's supposed to have a lot of bug 🐛 fixes and have an ide interface for fitting a standard harddrive 😁 . Done by Gary Lancaster who did the Next.
I really need to look up old photos of my old +2A as I'm convinced it was housed in a +2 grey case, either that or I'm totally deluded (quite possible!) Does sounds like the +2 is a very nice Speccy, but you can't use CP/M on it, so how are you going to run your early 80's office?! ;) As Lee mentioned, I soldered wires to the underside of the TEA2000 chip on my +2A, picking up the R0, R1, G0, G1, B0, B1, CSYNC and then grabbed the +5V and GND from under the power connector and they all connect up nicely to the RGBtoHDMI digital interface, saving me from having to use the Analogue board and it looks fab.
I have a +2, 48k rubber key and 48k+. Personally I love all of them but theres something about the rubber key model I love. I have bought a VLA82+ kit which converts this use an RGB signal instead, so I get the best of both worlds Am i right in saying there wasn't many 128k only software? I was lead to believe that there was so many 48k boards sold that support didnt completely dry up until the late 80s/early 90s?
the best zx spectrum to own is the common 128k, is 100% compatible with 48k games and is the nicest by far,there is nothing that beats that, yet I have my own 128k with a protek interface which is yet the best addon if you want to play all games with a joystick
I have the 48+ as it is the most pretty, it is the toastrack done better, without the ugly red font or the useless rack. If you go grey (Amstrad influenced), I would go full Amstrad. So I have the 48+ with the CPC464, internally modded to be 6128 as well. The two prettiest options on the desk, and eating C64's for breakfast. I can miss Spectrum 128 software in this setup easily.
I never understand the appeal of the toastrack, and it's certainly not worth anywhere near the money it sells for on eBay. Some say, but it's the last Sinclair Speccy, and I normally reply with, Yeah, so what ? Surely, the FIRST one is the most appealing, no ? For me, the best 128k Spectrum is the +3. You get a decent machine, good keyboard, good RGB picture, and a 3" disc drive. I own a real beaut of a +3, boxed, and all the original paraphernalia that came with it. Would never swap it for a toastrack.
Exactly what I have been saying for quite a while, definitely the best one!!! It is also dirt cheap on eBay, cheaper than the Plus on average, even! Wish you showed how you fixed the factory bugs in more detail, though...
I try to avoid getting into the realms of tutorial videos as much as possible. I'm painfully aware how limited my knowledge is. I can only pass on what I know myself 😁
Great channel and vids. Hope your family health problems are ok. I had some questions i wanted to ask you if that's ok? (bit long to type on here!) So not sure if i can send you an email or msg? I'm only on FB for social media. Thanks in advance
Thanks for the fast reply. Yeah I was trying to find that in the channel. Is it your channel and site name? (Apologies but I'm not seeing any other variation)
It's so cool to see a real ZX Spectrum, Growing up in Russia, I only had a custom-made ZX-Spectrum, assembled by my mom's colleague, which he kindly gave to me
Stay healthy man. We look forward for your therapy sessions.
I love the +2 grey, I was given one by a mate 30 years ago and I still have it. Working great
Good to hear
I have a +2A and the tape drive still works perfectly. I think it was sitting in a storage box for a long time with the previous owner, but, still, it's impressively solid.
The +2 Grey was our childhood ZX Spectrum.
The manual says that the volume is adjustable for the 3 channels of the AY, from 0 to 15... bu tthe BEEPer is always at 15! Ouch!
Look after yourself and your family, Lee. Thanks for the video
Thank you, I will 😍
Excellent video and information! Hopefully, everything will be good for you and your family. Stay strong and carry on. Thanks for sharing
Much appreciated! 😍
Just to add to the black screen, if you use a zx-Vga-joy you get a picture with out using the zx spectrum rgb ports it by passes all the chips, just to see if it works "This interface is not signal converter, it works in parallel with internal graphics IC(ULA) taking video data
directly from CPU and provides crystal clear picture on VGA monitors" for around £50 its well worth it,Keep the videos coming.
I've had those pointed out to me a couple of times now. I really should pick one up
This is a perfect little summary of what I need to service the two grey +2s I have in a cupboard. Thanks very much!
Very welcome!
I've got my old +2 sat in the garage, as soon as I get my original 48K speccy back from the dead that's in the queue!
Good luck!
I can't lie, I'm loving my Spectrum Next. It's genuinely very well thought out.
That was a really informative episode. Thank you very much. Lots of love for the Speccy here!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Good luck, Lee. Will be keeping an eye open for the next update.
Thanks 👍
Lovely video Lee. Its a great video for me to point people at as a modding guide for the gray speccy. The thumbnail is also particularly good too.
Cheers John!
Sorry to hear about your family health issues. Great content though and much love to your family x
Thank you. Things are on the mend now.
Using your phone while waiting on a tape load sums up the past 40 years quite well.
😆
Sorry to hear about the family health problems. Hope everything is getting better.
Thank you Curtis. Have a couple of rough months ahead. We'll get through it.
Amazing stuff fella 👍❤️🕹
Another excellent and informative video. Enjoyable and entertaining to watch for more than just the super technical content ;-)
Cracking video Lee. Making space for a Plus 2 to add to my collection now
Cheers Ross! 😁
Great update Lee, I bought another +2 grey testerday so that I can give it to my son-in-law once I get all the mods done. I also ordered a couple of stereo sound mods for these from Bytedelight. I also bought a couple of the old car cassette adapters so he can load games intio it from his phone. 😁😁
Sounds great! 😁
Excellent video, loved the information.
Happy new year 🎉 lee and greetings from sweden.
Happy new year!
Biological before electrical. Take care my friend.
Will do! 😁
Don't understand the title, you speak about the classic line? Yeah, the +2 Gray is the best from the classic line. But the best is to pick a modern recreation, cheaper and no maintenance issues for next 30 years :) Personally I'd go with a SiZif 512 for the classical line, but now with the Next getting more and more users I'll go with a Spectrum Next clone like the N-GO, Xberry Pi or ZxUno v4. 2 with 2Mb of RAM.
I agree. Having finally received my Kickstarter2 Next just over two months ago, I'd say the Next is the best way to experience the Spectrum in 2024.
It has virtually 100% compatibility with 'legacy' software and hardware, and no more of the dreaded 'R Tape loading error' (unless you want to load your games and programs from a cassette player connected to your Next).
I still have a fondness for my rubber-keyed Spectrum (which still works, apart from the right-hand side of the top row of keys - I've bought a new membrane to fit in my Spectrum). But the Next is a magnificent piece of equipment.
The creators of the two Kickstarters have hinted at a third Kickstarter. If you're a Spectrum fan and there is another Kickstarter then my advice is to make a pledge for a Next.
Great!
Thanks for sharing
me 48k turned 16 last monthlvl up
I totally agree. I call the Spectrum+ style keyboard "Worlds best looking worst keyboard", that's exactly why I have my 128K Harlequin in a Rubberkey casing. I also have an original Toastrack (and mind you, it is an issue 9G 😁, yes, I am bragging) but it is more an object to touch, feel and smell, not for daily use. I use the Harlequin 128 as the daily driver, but if I didn't have that, maybe I would consider getting a Grey as the daily driver. I never had any interest in the Amstrad made Spectrums, and unless someone gifts me one, I don't intend to acquire any of them.
I love that description. Definitely going to steal that 😆
awesome video as always.. hope your family gets better soon. Is it possible to put a more compatible ROM in a +2A or +3? (Of which I have both)...
I don't think so. The architecture of those 2 revisions are quite different. But I'm no expert! Maybe something I should look into
I was thinking about the +3e Rom it's supposed to have a lot of bug 🐛 fixes and have an ide interface for fitting a standard harddrive 😁 . Done by Gary Lancaster who did the Next.
I really need to look up old photos of my old +2A as I'm convinced it was housed in a +2 grey case, either that or I'm totally deluded (quite possible!) Does sounds like the +2 is a very nice Speccy, but you can't use CP/M on it, so how are you going to run your early 80's office?! ;)
As Lee mentioned, I soldered wires to the underside of the TEA2000 chip on my +2A, picking up the R0, R1, G0, G1, B0, B1, CSYNC and then grabbed the +5V and GND from under the power connector and they all connect up nicely to the RGBtoHDMI digital interface, saving me from having to use the Analogue board and it looks fab.
I have a 2a but it's immaculate and now I have a grey I don't think it's really worth me messing that one about. But great info mate!
I have a +2, 48k rubber key and 48k+. Personally I love all of them but theres something about the rubber key model I love. I have bought a VLA82+ kit which converts this use an RGB signal instead, so I get the best of both worlds
Am i right in saying there wasn't many 128k only software? I was lead to believe that there was so many 48k boards sold that support didnt completely dry up until the late 80s/early 90s?
the best zx spectrum to own is the common 128k, is 100% compatible with 48k games and is the nicest by far,there is nothing that beats that, yet I have my own 128k with a protek interface which is yet the best addon if you want to play all games with a joystick
I hope you get well soon, because...
...I have *more fun watching it.*
Shut up you had it coming! 😂
Where can I buy one of the ZX spectrum 128K with tabe you have fixed and modded? Being well into my 40s now I'm looking for a bit of nostalgia lol
Can still work in 2024?
I have the 48+ as it is the most pretty, it is the toastrack done better, without the ugly red font or the useless rack.
If you go grey (Amstrad influenced), I would go full Amstrad. So I have the 48+ with the CPC464, internally modded to be 6128 as well. The two prettiest options on the desk, and eating C64's for breakfast. I can miss Spectrum 128 software in this setup easily.
@morefunmakingit Can I buy a refurbished 128k +2 off you ?
Sorry, I don't sell machines very often. Only in charity auctions and then they tend to go for a lot more than their actual value
@@MoreFunMakingIt will keep my eyes on your channel. :-)
Ive got a Spectrum Z2 128k with about 100 games are these worth anything...?
*cough* zx spectrum next *cough*
Hi
Good idea write
Retro Games new December
ZX SPECTRUM 2
Maxi
Working Keyboard
And
Amiga500 Maxi
Working Keyboard
Regards
Artur
Poland
I never understand the appeal of the toastrack, and it's certainly not worth anywhere near the money it sells for on eBay. Some say, but it's the last Sinclair Speccy, and I normally reply with, Yeah, so what ? Surely, the FIRST one is the most appealing, no ?
For me, the best 128k Spectrum is the +3. You get a decent machine, good keyboard, good RGB picture, and a 3" disc drive. I own a real beaut of a +3, boxed, and all the original paraphernalia that came with it. Would never swap it for a toastrack.
The best Spectrum to own is a C64!😅
You are hereby exiled from this channel.
Haha! 😁
Exactly what I have been saying for quite a while, definitely the best one!!! It is also dirt cheap on eBay, cheaper than the Plus on average, even!
Wish you showed how you fixed the factory bugs in more detail, though...
I try to avoid getting into the realms of tutorial videos as much as possible. I'm painfully aware how limited my knowledge is. I can only pass on what I know myself 😁
Great channel and vids.
Hope your family health problems are ok.
I had some questions i wanted to ask you if that's ok? (bit long to type on here!)
So not sure if i can send you an email or msg?
I'm only on FB for social media.
Thanks in advance
Email is fine. You'll find it in my about section on TH-cam
Thanks for the fast reply.
Yeah I was trying to find that in the channel.
Is it your channel and site name?
(Apologies but I'm not seeing any other variation)
@@Tempest_Elixir it's Lee at mychannelname dot co dot uk
@@MoreFunMakingIt gotcha!
Thanks a lot.
I'll contact you through there.
Thanks again!
Hi Lee.
Hope you're well?
I sent you an email to your contact last week.
Not rushing on a reply but just checking you received it ok.
Thanks