L@@k R@re LOL – A Sinclair Spectrum with an AMI SAGA-1A ULA? WTF! Have you seen one like this?

| 24 April 2015 | Sinclair Spectrum | 4 Comments

Working through my “to do” pile I came across a Spectrum 48k+ with an unusual sticker underneath the motherboard, and a disturbing lack of many of the passive components.

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Removing the board revealed the sticker in all it’s glory…

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I mentioned this in one of the Facebook groups and it generated a fair bit of interest, with no-one seeming to have seen one before.

Of particular interest seemed to be the ULA, which bears the markings:

AMI 8444CCI
SAGA-1A
SRL-VDG-P
AUSTRIA

 

No-one seems to have ever seen one of these ULA’s in “real life” before, with people just having seen it mentioned in the service manual.

I am happy to report that the machine passed it’s pre-powering checks and even the keyboard membrane works great.

One thing to note is that this ULA seems to run SUPER COOL. After ten minutes of Knight Lore running, there was barely any heat coming from the SAGA ULA!

So onto the details pics of the board. People with far greater knowledge than I have asked to see close-up pics of the chips and components, so never being one to turn down an opportunity for self promotion, I have posted them on the website for all to see. Well, that and facebook makes the pictures worse than they already are and reduces them in size significantly…

*CLICK PICS FOR FULL SIZE – Apologies for crap quality*


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IMG_20150424_001642[1]IMG_20150424_001656[1]
IMG_20150424_001707[1]IMG_20150424_001722[1]
IMG_20150424_001737[1]IMG_20150424_001800[1]IMG_20150424_001846[1] IMG_20150424_001904[1] IMG_20150424_001824[1] IMG_20150424_001837[1] IMG_20150424_002051[1]

Any observations? Have you seen one like this? Let me know!

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About The Author

Mark Fixes Stuff

Just a geek, geeking about. Not a nerd.

4 Comments
  1. qluser@yahoo.gr'
    George Lemon Reply

    This is a version of zx spectrum 48+ ,marked as issue 6a (1984-5)The latest version of zx spectrum+ from Sinclair.
    I have the same..

    Note: The PCF1306p is a Z80-PIO assistant to Z80 CPU (PIO=Programmable I/O)instead for classic TTL old ICs, for better stability and simplicity.

    The ROM is still the same with other older versions (AMI)

    The ULA chip is still the same,but from other manufacturer.
    (Not Ferranti)

    Some changes has been also made to the Video amplifier section with more simple circuits around LM1889 for better chroma quality.

    Also you make check this Link for further: http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/sinclair/zxspectrum/sm/supp1.html

    • Mark Fixes Stuff Reply

      I know it’s mentioned in the manuals but no-one I have asked has seen one in real life George. It was an assumption that it was a manufacturer change that never heppened. This seems to be some sort of production sample. I’m wondering if any have turned up elsewhere. Internet searches tell me nothing :O

  2. miguel.angel@zxprojects.com'
    mcleod_ideafix Reply

    Hi! Could you please run some ULA tests to see if its timmings differ from Ferranti ULA’s ?

    • Mark Fixes Stuff Reply

      Hiya. This unit is going to go up for auction next week, and hopefully the new owner will be in a better position to do the tests.

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