{"id":39531,"date":"2026-04-03T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/?p=39531"},"modified":"2026-04-15T15:19:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:19:52","slug":"q-save-sinclair-zx81","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/q-save-sinclair-zx81\/","title":{"rendered":"Q Save"},"content":{"rendered":"

QSAVE \u2013 Turbo Tape for the Sinclair ZX81 (PSS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Sinclair ZX81, the cassette is simply part of the package. In practice, however, this also meant a lot of patience, a bit of luck with the signal level, and often several attempts before a program loaded properly. Especially with the 16K expansion, a save operation could feel like it went on forever. It was precisely during this period that QSAVE from PSS (Personal Software Services) appeared: a combination of software and additional hardware designed to significantly speed up saving and loading whilst making the process more reliable. I found a small advert for it in Happy Computer 11\/1983, and at the time it cost 79 DM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My copy in the collection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My collection includes a QSAVE in its original packaging, complete with instructions and the actual hardware \u2013 the \u2018Q SAVE Amplifier\/Filter Unit\u2019. Unfortunately, the software and cables are missing from my unit. This is not unusual for accessories from that era, as the small extras (cassettes, cables, adapters) tend to get separated over the years or eventually disappear \u2018into the cable box\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dating is intriguing: the packaging bears the \u00a9 1982 mark, whilst the instructions I have are dated \u00a9 1983. This fits well with a product that was launched in 1982 and later resold with revised printed materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What QSAVE actually does<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

QSAVE is essentially a high-speed solution for the ZX81 cassette interface. Instead of using the relatively slow standard transfer rate, QSAVE employs a significantly higher data rate. This drastically reduces loading and saving times. At the same time, the aim is to reduce the susceptibility to errors \u2013 because whilst faster transmission makes the signal more sensitive, with the right processing it can ultimately run more stably than the \u2018original fiddling\u2019 with volume and the read head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note a typical side effect of such turbo systems: files saved in QSAVE format can generally only be reliably reloaded later if QSAVE (or a compatible tool) is available again.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Q
Q Save<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Amplifier\/Filter Unit \u2013 hardware for stabilising the signal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of it all is the small box labelled \u2018Q SAVE AMPLIFIER\/FILTER UNIT\u2019. The front panel alone gives a good idea of the concept behind it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • A SAVE\/LOAD switch: the signal is processed differently depending on the direction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Connections for CASS. (cassette recorder) and COMP (computer): QSAVE is positioned between them and affects the entire signal path.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • EAR labels and a status LED (\u2018O\/L\u2019): This looks very much like level\/signal monitoring, i.e. \u2018tools to help avoid the lottery of cassette playback\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • POWER IN \/ POWER OUT: QSAVE is connected to or looped through the power supply to power the unit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    It is precisely this combination of software and \u2018signal electronics\u2019 that is typical of early 1980s accessory solutions: the aim was not only to work faster, but above all to ensure reproducibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Back in service today (without a \u201cproper\u201d functional test)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even though the software and cables are missing from my set, QSAVE can generally be made to work again. For a future test, you\u2019ll mainly need: a software dump and a few standard cables.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Q
    Q Save – User Manual<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Use software from the dump<\/strong>
    QSAVE is archived as a tape dump. The dump is typically in TZX format and can either be used in the emulator or converted to an audio format (WAV) so that it can be played back like a cassette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A PC or smartphone as a \u2018cassette recorder\u2019<\/strong>
    One practical method is to play the WAV file on a PC or smartphone and use it to \u2018feed\u2019 the ZX81 \u2013 just like we used to do with a cassette tape. The most important thing to remember here is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Disable all sound enhancers, equalisers, \u2018audio enhancers\u2019, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Start at a medium volume and adjust it slightly if necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Use a clean, stable audio signal without interference wherever possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Retrofit cables<\/strong>
      Standard jack cables are usually all that\u2019s needed for the signal path:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Cassette recorder (EAR\/Phones) \u2192 QSAVE (CASS.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • QSAVE (COMP) \u2192 ZX81 (EAR or equivalent input)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Depending on the recorder, adapters may be required (e.g. a different jack size or special connectors). Short, neat cables are far better here than flimsy \u201coff-the-shelf adapters\u201d \u2013 high-speed formats are particularly sensitive to poor connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        \"Q
        Q Save – Vorderseite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"Q
        Q Save – R\u00fcckseite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Power supply (POWER IN \/ POWER OUT)<\/strong>
        As the QSAVE has POWER IN and POWER OUT ports, the unit will most likely be connected into the power supply circuit (power supply \u2192 QSAVE \u2192 ZX81). If you are retrofitting this, the most important point is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • The plug size and polarity must match.
          With old power adapters and plugs, it\u2019s worth taking a closer look before plugging anything in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Why this is still interesting today<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          For me, QSAVE is a fine example of just how vibrant the world of ZX81 accessories was in the early 80s. Rather than simply having to \u2018put up with\u2019 the fact that cassette storage was slow and temperamental, people tried to make the ZX81 more suitable for everyday use through software tricks and additional electronics. And even though my copy isn\u2019t complete, the packaging, instructions and the amplifier\/filter box clearly demonstrate how people approached the issue of \u2018saving and loading\u2019 back then.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          QSAVE \u2013 Turbo Tape f\u00fcr den Sinclair ZX81 (PSS) Beim Sinclair ZX81 geh\u00f6rt die Kassette einfach dazu. In der Praxis bedeutete das aber auch: viel \u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"QSAVE ist eine Kombination aus Software und einer Amplifier\/Filter Unit, die das Speichern und Laden \u00fcber Kassette deutlich beschleunigen sollte. In meinem Set sind Originalverpackung und Anleitung erhalten, Software und Kabel fehlen leider \u2013 die Hardware zeigt aber sehr gut, wie man damals das Kassettensignal aufbereitet hat.\n\nArtikel: https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/q-save-sinclair-zx81\/","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[4737],"class_list":["post-39531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-zx81","tag-hardware"],"modified_by":"Jungsi","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Q-Save.webp","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4eXvk-ahB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16887,"url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/zxblast-sinclair-zx81\/","url_meta":{"origin":39531,"position":0},"title":"ZXblast [Sinclair ZX81]","author":"Jungsi","date":"21. March 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"ZXblast Eine tolle Erweiterung f\u00fcr den Sinclair ZX81 liegt seit einiger Zeit auf meinem Tisch. Das ZXblast wurde, wie schon einige andere tolle Hardware f\u00fcr den kleinen Sinclair Rechner in Deutschland, von Pokemon entwickelt. Seine Hardware gibt es meist als Bausatz, aber f\u00fcr weniger versierte Bastler wie mich auch als\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Retro"","block_context":{"text":"Retro","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/category\/retro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ZX81 mit ZXBlast","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/ZX81-mit-ZXBlast-kl.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1984,"url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/sinclair-zx81\/","url_meta":{"origin":39531,"position":1},"title":"Sinclair ZX81","author":"Jungsi","date":"4. October 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"ZX81 Mit diesem Rechner begann meine \u00c4ra der Computernutzung. Als ich das erste Mal in der Zeitschrift P.M. dar\u00fcber las, war mein Interesse geweckt. Ich konnte meine Gro\u00dfmutter \u00fcberzeugen, mir das Ger\u00e4t zu kaufen. Bald darauf vertiefte ich mich in meinem Zimmer in das Handbuch. Die ersten Spiele lud ich\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Retro"","block_context":{"text":"Retro","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/category\/retro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sinclair ZX81","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/ZX81.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2396,"url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/retro-sinclair-zx81-zxpand\/","url_meta":{"origin":39531,"position":2},"title":"Retro: Sinclair ZX81 – ZXpand","author":"Jungsi","date":"7. January 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"ZXpand Das ZXpand ist wieder mal ein erstaunliches St\u00fcck Hardware f\u00fcr einen Computer der schon 30 Jahre alt ist. Dieses Interface bringt den Sinclair ZX81 in das 21. Jahrhundert. Das ZXpand wird ganz einfach an den Erweiterungs-Port des ZX81 angeschlossen (vorher noch eine SD-Karte einlegen \u2013 mit FAT\/FAT16 oder FAT32\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Retro"","block_context":{"text":"Retro","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/category\/retro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ZXpand am Sinclair ZX81","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/ZXpand1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/ZXpand1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/ZXpand1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25449,"url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/happy-birthday-zx81\/","url_meta":{"origin":39531,"position":3},"title":"Happy Birthday ZX81!","author":"Jungsi","date":"5. March 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Herzlichen Gl\u00fcckwunsch zum 40. Geburtstag Sinclair ZX81! Am 05.03.1981 kam der kleine Rechner auf den Markt und sorgte f\u00fcr Aufregung. Das Ger\u00e4t war f\u00fcr viele der Start in das Zeitalter der Homecomputer, da der Verkaufspreis bei 99 Pfund (Fertigger\u00e4t) lag was damals extrem g\u00fcnstig war. 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March 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Chroma Interface Seit einiger Zeit gibt es von Paul Farrow ein Update f\u00fcr das Chroma Interface. Daf\u00fcr muss das Interface zu ihm eingesendet werden. Was wurde aktualisiert? Das Update betrifft das ZX ROM Cartridge Generator Utility, das nun auch den ZX81 unterst\u00fctzt. Damit k\u00f6nnen bis zu 254 Programme und ROM-Dateien\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Retro"","block_context":{"text":"Retro","link":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/category\/retro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Chroma - ZXC4 Spielemen\u00fc","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/chroma-zxc4-spielemenue.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/chroma-zxc4-spielemenue.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/chroma-zxc4-spielemenue.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jungsi.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/chroma-zxc4-spielemenue.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3472,"url":"https:\/\/www.jungsi.de\/en\/retro-zx81-zx81xram\/","url_meta":{"origin":39531,"position":5},"title":"Retro: ZX81 – ZX81XRAM","author":"Jungsi","date":"30. May 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"XRAM Das ZX81XRAM ist eine alternative Speichererweiterung f\u00fcr den ZX81 aus dem Jahr 2013. Fr\u00fcher konnte man ohne die bekannten Speichererweiterungen f\u00fcr den ZX81 kaum auskommen, da dieser intern ja nur mit 1 KB ausgestattet war.Diese waren als Module f\u00fcr den Erweiterungsanschluss von 16 KB bis 64 KB erh\u00e4ltlich. 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