"Speccy" in the 21st Century: How I Got a ZX Evolution and What Came of It

I first encountered the ZX Spectrum as a schoolboy visiting a classmate and immediately decided I needed one. Unfortunately, my family's modest means prevented me from purchasing a ready-made unit, so in my upper years of school, I assembled a "Speccy" from radio market components with help from an older friend skilled in radio assembly. Our soldering was poor — the computer would reboot whenever grandmother's refrigerator switched on in the kitchen. Instead of a color monitor, I received an old black-and-white television, with strict prohibition against modifying the RGB connector on the household's only color "Rubin" set. I never got to fully enjoy my "Sinclair," so as an adult, I purchased an unfinished ZX Evolution project and decided to complete it properly.

Why Evolution?

I already own two authentic Soviet-era Spectrum clones: an elegant "Composite" and the popular "Delta-S" with transparent plastic keyboard. Both function well as retro gaming machines, but they're ZX48 clones. Sometimes I want to play titles for "Pentagon" or "Scorpion" requiring 128 or 256 kilobytes of RAM. The solution was obvious: acquire a modern Z80-based computer capable of emulating more advanced platforms.

ZX Evolution, formerly called Pentevo, represents entirely Russian development. Enthusiasts at NedoPC began creation in 2002, first showing completed hardware publicly in 2009. They established small-scale production, selling both DIY kits and ready-to-use programmed boards. I purchased something considerably more advanced: an unfinished project with an already-mounted circuit board in a case, plus additional components. The previous owner lost interest and hoped someone would complete his work. That someone became me.

Case Construction

The board — revision C — is quite interesting. Power implementation follows the miniATX standard with proper mounting holes. My unit came installed in an InWin case. The computer uses a native Zilog Z80 processor, with logic implemented via an Altera EP1K50Q208 programmable matrix. Onboard memory totals 4 megabytes (a substantial portion reserved for virtual disks), with 512 kilobytes of flash ROM. Features include two ZXBUS connectors for peripherals, built-in floppy and IDE hard drive connectors, RS232 controller, ATMEGA128 peripheral controller, and partial LPT for printer connection.

Video outputs through standard VGA using a hardware scandoubler. Audio output is available, along with PS/2 ports for mouse and keyboard. The rear board includes an SD card reader and Tape-IN input for nostalgia enthusiasts.

The most important component of any Spectrum — the keyboard — required a creative solution. The previous owner selected a compact Diebold keyboard with built-in touchpad and PS/2 support, matching the InWin case width precisely. This can mount on the top cover, staying secure and convenient.

To properly mount the keyboard, the case cover received a cutout for cable passage with severed connectors. PS/2 connectors were restored to their original positions using clips, preventing the need for an oversized hole. Now the keyboard and touchpad connect to standard board ports.

The monitor selection was equally unconventional: a 10-inch VGA display from a cash register, perfectly matching the case width. After removing its stand, three movable mounting brackets were installed on the case rear panel.

To optimize construction and eliminate unnecessary power supplies, a USB-format power connector was installed directly in the computer's power block, delivering monitor power through a specially-constructed short adapter cable.

The result is quite compact: folded, the monitor occupies exactly half the case length, positioned beside the keyboard as though factory-designed. This requires minimal space.

Spinning Disks

ZX Evolution accepts up to four floppy drives (3.5" or 5.25"), controlled by a KR1818VG93 hardware controller. I dreamed of connecting a 5.25" drive for authentic "Khrrrrrr!" initialization sounds, but locating a functional unit at a reasonable price proved impossible. So I purchased a 1.44 MB drive in 5" form factor (finding one in black took effort!) and installed it in the appropriate case slot.

Notably, ZX Evolution only handles disks in DD mode, so they must have the appropriate window sealed on the left side (when facing the disk with lock down) to format and read properly. However, since the computer natively supports SD cards, the floppy drive serves mainly aesthetic purposes.

Hard drive installation required effort. InWin case space is limited, accommodating only a 2.5" notebook-format PATA drive, requiring connection through a Laptop IDE/44-pin PATA-IDE adapter. Additional mounting brackets were fabricated inside the case beneath the removable floppy module.

ZX Evolution recognizes only FAT32 file systems. After Windows formatting, one must copy and immediately delete a file, creating the hidden "Recycle Bin" folder — otherwise Evolution won't recognize the disk. The computer doesn't detect all drives: my initial Seagate 60GB went unrecognized, but a Fujitsu 40GB connected immediately without issues.

I immediately copied a massive game collection in TRD and SCL formats onto this drive — the Evolution's hard disk now stores several gigabytes of alphabetically-sorted "Spectrum" games in various versions.

Peripherals

Several expansion cards accompanied the computer. Primarily, the advanced ZXM-SoundCard Extreme audio card supports multiple audio interfaces with six-channel music playback on YM2203/AY chips (TurboSound FM), SAA1099 support, and other stereo and demoscene enhancements.

Also included: ZXNETUSB — an Ethernet and USB card for ZX Evolution. Also developed by NedoPC, it combines an Ethernet controller with USB host/device modules, enabling data exchange with modern devices and flash drive support for keyboards and mice. It fully supports file loading and network services for retro systems.

The board provides only two ZXBUS ports. Special expansion cards allow connecting additional devices.

After connecting all primary devices to the board, I performed a test drive — the machine worked.

Assembled Configuration

The computer functions properly, though the display image is somewhat right-shifted — a defect I plan to address later through settings adjustment.

Conclusion

The amusing aspect of this entire endeavor: I purchased ZX Evolution purely from nostalgic feelings as a retro machine, yet received a genuinely modern computer based on the classic Z80, capable of running "those very same" games. It's certainly new construction, but considerably closer to the original "Spectrum" spirit than certain modern 8-bit gaming consoles with "Alick," let alone software emulators. Perhaps such projects' true meaning lies not in "floppy drive crunch" or the familiar magnetic tape loading sound from childhood, but in assembling your own historical fragment operating by your rules and failing only where you haven't yet applied your screwdriver.

Now I own three "Spectrums": two authentic early-1990s clones and one modern Frankenstein. I've created a "dream Spectrum" — exactly as I imagined during school years, adjusted for contemporary reality. Somewhere in dusty storage closets, forgotten "Pentagons," "Scorpions," and other clones await their opportunity. My retro adventures are certainly not finished.