ZX Spectrum +2

Infobox: ZX Spectrum +2

Manufacturer	Amstrad
Mfg. volume
CPU	Z80A @ 3.5469MHz
ROM	64kB
RAM	128kB
as pages	8×16kB
Gfx Res	256×192
Gfx Colours	15 (2 per 8×8 cell)

• This article is about the early "Grey +2". For the later "Black +2" (+2A and +2B) see ZX Spectrum +3/2A/2B

Hardware Revisions

This is an attempt to pin down the various hardware revisions of the +2 Grey. There seem to be three main revisions of the PCB, within these there appear to be separate date coded batches

Z70500

• Comments: Presumably the earliest versions of this board were created prior to the Sinclair takeover
• Place of manufacture: These boards appear to have been manufactured in Taiwan, this is embossed on the underside of the case.
• Date of manufacture (batch): The date code for the PCB batch is recorded on the top right corner on the rear of the PCB in the traces, in this case 32nd Week of 1986:

• Distinguishing features: Fitted with radial capacitors, 2 bodge resistors and a capacitor on the rear of the PCB.

• Problems:

TR4 mod for misplaced transistor.

• Variants:

Standard 8632 (1986 Week 32)/ 8642 (1986 week 42): Schematic [1] Mid (1987? Week 21): ROM has text rotated on it, date code 8721 http://rk.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/images/plus2_pcb.jpg(image nvg)

Serial numbers:

• A six digit number proceeded by a U
• U-102726: 8632

Photos

• [2]

Z70700

• Comments: Manufactured in the UK once stocks of the toast rack PCB were used up?
• Place of manufacture: These boards appear to have been manufactured in UK, this is embossed on the underside of the case.
• Date of manufacture (batch): The date code for the PCB batch is recorded on the bottom left corner on the PCB in the silkscreen

• Distinguishing features: Fitted with axial capacitors (excess stock left over from the toast rack?). Lots of small coloured stickers on the modulator and elsewhere in the case.

Variants:

• 3886 (1986 Week 38): Bodge resistor on bottom left hand corner of the board (R86?)
• 8640 (1986 Week 40): Colour of capacitors change http://benophetinternet.nl/hobby/vanmezelf/20130605_153957.jpg (Ben Verstee)
• 8645 (1986 Week 45): Colour of capacitors change, different diodes, changes to resistors in bottom left corner of the board. http://www.tomdalby.com/retro/images/+2_inside.jpg (Tom Dalby)

Serial numbers:

• A six digit number followed by a T, e.g.:

[3]:

• 005711T: (3886)

[4]: (8645?) [5]:

Photos

• [6]
• [7]

0500 (Z70500 is on the rear side)

• Comments: A later varient of the Z70500 (also) possibly originally for the French market, but UK versions also exist.
• Place of manufacture: Taiwan (embossed on bottom of case and PSU sticker).
• Date of manufacture (batch): ? 8641A listed on the front bottom silkscreen of later revisions

• Distinguishing features: Encased inductor, capacitor colour change, rear-side bodges of Z70500 corrected and paced on the front. Fixed HAL chip.

Variants:

• UK (1986 Week 37): http://www.tomdalby.com/retro/images/+2_inside_i3.jpg (Tom Dalby)
• UK 8641A (1986 week 41): Amstrad 4056 instead of PCF1306P http://www.nightfallcrew.com/wp-content/gallery/zx-spectrum-2/img_2278.jpg (nightfall crew)
• France (1986): The modulator and associated components are not fitted, French ROM (40068)[[8]] (moo5)

Serial numbers: A six digit number proceeded by a U

• U205749: 8641A [9]

Photos

• Nightfall crew