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Which machine?

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  Which machine? Gerald Holdsworth <nospam@hollypops.co.uk> - 2015-02-27 22:16 +0000
    Re: Which machine? "Brian Gaff" <brian1gaff@gmail.com> - 2015-02-28 08:41 +0000
      Re: Which machine? Gerald Holdsworth <nospam@hollypops.co.uk> - 2015-03-01 09:30 +0000
        Re: Which machine? "Chris Young" <chris.usenet@mail-filter.com> - 2015-03-01 11:24 +0100

#3449 — Which machine?

Hi all,

I'm thinking about purchasing a Spectrum of some description. I grew up 
with Acorns (BBC Micro and Acorn Electron), but I also invested in a 
Commodore 64.

I've been thinking about a Speccy for a while, but never quite took the 
plunge. I've got the FUSE emulator for my Mac, which works really well 
for me. It is also an advantage, as if I bought an actual machine, I'd 
need to make room for it, and try and hook it up to one of my screens 
(which are all flatscreens, with two being TV flatscreens of about 10 
years old).

The big question is, which model?
I'm drawn towards the original ZX Spectrum, as this was the current 
model when I originally bought my Electron (my friends either had a C64, 
BBC, Electron or Speccy).
However, in those days, I was lent a Spectrum+, which I like the feel of 
the keyboard, so I'm also drawn towards one of these.
But, a +3 would be useful with it's built in FDD. But I'm pushed away 
from the +2 and +3 as these were the Amstrad models.
I don't like the look of the new Vita that's being released.

Of course, I'd want to be able to transfer images I have downloaded from 
the Internet over the years onto. I also, already, have Repton Mania on 
cassette.

So, what is everyone's opinion? Should I bother getting a real machine 
or stick with an emulator, which machine, and how much should I be 
expected to pay for one (in the UK)?

Cheers,

Gerald.

-- 
gerald at hollypops dot co dot uk

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#3450

Well personally, although its light grey and Amstradian, the original plus 2 
would be my choice. Its got a decent keyboard, an rs232, a built in tape 
deck and the good sound. It can also  be used on a monitor without any mods 
other then a cable, and one can easily get the audio out as well, Add to 
that that mose add ons still work with it, unlike the black plus 2 and the 
plus 3. The plus three's disc drives after all this time tend to not work as 
well.
 One can get any number of add on disc systems for the Spectrum plus 2. It 
also has joystick  sockets, albeit wired strangely.

The only faults I've seen are dirty power supply transistor connections, 
tape recorder buttons  damaged and may need a new belt, all of which can be 
either glued or a belt found from packs I've seen on sale at various on line 
component stores.
 I only have the old 48 k, as really I cannot use them any more, but that 
would be my choice.
 Brian

-- 
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is  active
"Gerald Holdsworth" <nospam@hollypops.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:dvWdnSPEssk8cW3JnZ2dnUVZ8mSdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about purchasing a Spectrum of some description. I grew up 
> with Acorns (BBC Micro and Acorn Electron), but I also invested in a 
> Commodore 64.
>
> I've been thinking about a Speccy for a while, but never quite took the 
> plunge. I've got the FUSE emulator for my Mac, which works really well for 
> me. It is also an advantage, as if I bought an actual machine, I'd need to 
> make room for it, and try and hook it up to one of my screens (which are 
> all flatscreens, with two being TV flatscreens of about 10 years old).
>
> The big question is, which model?
> I'm drawn towards the original ZX Spectrum, as this was the current model 
> when I originally bought my Electron (my friends either had a C64, BBC, 
> Electron or Speccy).
> However, in those days, I was lent a Spectrum+, which I like the feel of 
> the keyboard, so I'm also drawn towards one of these.
> But, a +3 would be useful with it's built in FDD. But I'm pushed away from 
> the +2 and +3 as these were the Amstrad models.
> I don't like the look of the new Vita that's being released.
>
> Of course, I'd want to be able to transfer images I have downloaded from 
> the Internet over the years onto. I also, already, have Repton Mania on 
> cassette.
>
> So, what is everyone's opinion? Should I bother getting a real machine or 
> stick with an emulator, which machine, and how much should I be expected 
> to pay for one (in the UK)?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Gerald.
>
> -- 
> gerald at hollypops dot co dot uk 

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#3452

On 28/02/2015 08:41, Brian Gaff wrote:
> Well personally, although its light grey and Amstradian, the original plus 2
> would be my choice. Its got a decent keyboard, an rs232, a built in tape
> deck and the good sound. It can also  be used on a monitor without any mods
> other then a cable, and one can easily get the audio out as well, Add to
> that that mose add ons still work with it, unlike the black plus 2 and the
> plus 3. The plus three's disc drives after all this time tend to not work as
> well.
>   One can get any number of add on disc systems for the Spectrum plus 2. It
> also has joystick  sockets, albeit wired strangely.
>
> The only faults I've seen are dirty power supply transistor connections,
> tape recorder buttons  damaged and may need a new belt, all of which can be
> either glued or a belt found from packs I've seen on sale at various on line
> component stores.
>   I only have the old 48 k, as really I cannot use them any more, but that
> would be my choice.
>   Brian
>

Cheers Brian.

Seems that the grey +2 goes for around 50 quid on Ebay, which seems 
quite reasonable. Although I have seen some up as high as £100, and beyond.

I've seen some listings for a +2A...is this the black model?

I also saw a listing for a "Grey Spectrum +2", but was black in the picture!

Gerald.

-- 
gerald at hollypops dot co dot uk

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#3455

On Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:30:31 +0000 da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
to MC Gerald Holdsworth:

> I also saw a listing for a "Grey Spectrum +2", but was black in the picture!

Are you sure it was black, and not gold?

Chris

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