Replacing a PURE Evoke Flow Display
** UPDATE 17th January 2023 **
Dear visitors,
For the latest Evoke display news, please check through all the comments section (best start with newest/ last and work backwards) about replacing this display.
The current suggested source for displays is Shenzhen Liyuan Huida Technology Co who have a good history of offering individual displays for various PURE radios. See their web page and contact form (Jack Wan) at the bottom. You might also find displays on Ebay - see below.
The reader comments here contain a wealth of background, advice and experience from other PURE repairers and are well worth wading through.
Some radios (eg the Avanti Flow) can turn out to be complex with lots of scope for problems, so please consider whether you want to gamble on fitting a new display yourself. Please note I cannot provide any specific advice on repairing or fixing problems, all the information I have is published on my website.
Lastly, folks, I'm sorry if this has become a bit convoluted or messy. My blog wasn't designed for such heavy traffic or 'chat' and large numbers of comments, and I'm trying to keep things going as orderly and easy to use for everyone (myself included!). Please remember, I can't retain or display personal email addresses etc on this web site, though I have successfully put a few people in touch with each other.
PURE SSW-1817 Power Supply Repair
A reader has shared details of replacing the power transistor and capacitors on this common switched-mode power supply used in several PURE DAB radios, more details here
Other sources of suitable OLEDs for PURE Evoke / Flow / Avanti Flow etc
17th January 2023
New PURE Evoke 1S 2S D4 D6 etc Marshall Mio Display Screen
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114638725086
NOT suitable for the Pure Evoke Flow, Avanti Flow, Oasis Flow, F4
Some repair notes for the Evoke 2S are in this PDF.
20th February 2020
On Alibaba - Shenzhen Liyuan Huida Technology Co (Jack Wan) had offered some new stocks of higher brightness OLEDs and are known to offer a good service to UK individuals. Several people said they have been very successful replacements recently. See https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/22pin-yellow-white-3003319301002-Pure-Evoke_60671545961.html
PURE EVOKE 1s (early version)
I've received step by step guide notes on swapping these displays which are now here.
PURE Avanti Flow Display
Looking to replace a PURE Avanti display instead? I've written up instructions here.
PURE Evoke 1S Marshall Display
13/6/2019 - A reader has posted instructions on replacing the (same) OLED on an Evoke 1S Marshall in the reader comments, please scroll through them to the end.
PURE Sirocco 550
2/1/2020 - A reader has posted instructions on replacing the (same) OLED on a Pure Sirroco 550 in the reader comments, please scroll through them to the end. (Happy New Year by the way.)
In 2008 I received a PURE Evoke Flow DAB/ Internet radio as a birthday gift and this cherished radio receiver had been on duty ever since as a portable Internet tuner (thanks to a Chargepak rechargeable battery), doubling as a bedside radio with dual alarms and wireless remote control. The radio recharged overnight ready for a busy day ahead, seated on my desk. The PURE Evoke Flow opened up a new world of online streaming radio with integral services such as Pure Sounds (rainfall, babbling brooks, breaking waves etc.) and BBC Listen Again, both of which, sadly, have long since been discontinued and are greatly missed.
PURE was launched back in 2001 by the higher-end VideoLogic division of UK graphics chipmaker Imagination Technologies. This was at a time when DAB radio was emerging as an exciting new radio standard and PURE was being positioned as a premium consumer brand. Imagination hit hard times and the PURE brand itself was sold off in 2016. Imagination’s major customer Apple also pulled the plug, deciding to make its own graphics chips instead, and a bitter trade dispute followed. Imagination was snapped up by a Chinese/ US private equity firm in 2017. The PURE brand still lives on, thanks to Austrian financial backers.
A Display of PURE Genius
One of the PURE Evoke Flow’s finest features was its yellow OLED graphics display which needed no backlight and had much greater clarity, luminance and viewing angle than an ordinary LCD did. As every Evoke Flow owner doubtless knows by now, unfortunately the display would fade after a few years (say six or more) as its organic element deteriorated until the display blanked out altogether, rendering the radio nearly useless.
Sad to say, the same fate befell my own radio and I have searched in vain for a replacement display for several years. Spares became unobtainable once RS Components discontinued the Bolymin 128 x 64 pixel BL12864KERNH$ (Stock No. 668-6124). I failed to find any foreign source that would ship a single replacement display (but read on).
New OLED Display for PURE Evoke Flow, Avanti, Evoke-1S.
The search for a new display having defeated me (and I don’t give up easily), in 2018 I was really delighted to learn that an enterprising individual has managed to source and import replacement yellow OLED displays that fit the PURE Evoke Flow, Avanti Flow and Evoke-1S Marshall, PURE's guitar amp style DAB radio.
I feared it might be too good to be true but, sure enough, after placing an order online with the UK seller AJSDyno a small carton soon arrived containing a new display for my ten year old radio. Perfect! They have since run out of stock so you will have to source one yourself from eg China (read the comments section later for guidance).
Next was a learning curve to figure out how to fit the new part, so here’s my photo sequence and instructions to help those wanting to replace their displays with minimum fuss.
Only basic tools are needed but a lot of ‘sympathy’ and some dexterity when handling delicate parts is also required: allow yourself half an hour of quality time and work carefully, don’t rush things and you should be fine.
DIY Instructions to replace a PURE Evoke Flow OLED
Unplug the radio from its a.c. adaptor and if a Chargepak battery pack is fitted, remove it. The display is accessed from the rear of the radio, which is secured by six Philips screws, so start by removing them.
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Remove 6 x Philips screws holding in the rear panel [click to see];)
... and swing the panel out, as if it's hinged on the left hand sideThe rear panel can be gently prised out with a plastic spudger or similar tool, swinging it gently out from the right and allow it to rest on the worktop. It carries the main board and some interwiring. Note how some wires and ribbons hook the mainboard to the SnoozeHandle, loudspeaker, front panel controls and the Imagination Technologies display controller.
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The rear panel resting on the workbench. Take care not to strain the taut blue wire (SnoozeHandle PCB)A word of warning,
THE SINGLE WIRE (ARROWED) CONNECTING THE SNOOZEHANDLE IS QUITE TAUT. IT IS SOLDERED AT BOTH ENDS AND CANNOT BE DISCONNECTED WITHOUT DESOLDERING IT. TAKE CARE NOT TO TUG OR STRAIN THIS WIRE OR THE TINY PCB CONNECTING THE SNOOZE HANDLE MAY BE DAMAGED!
So ensure you don’t strain this wire. You can easily pull the two-pin loudspeaker wire connection off the main board. This frees up things to give more access to the innards.
The main front panel connection cable (a silver ribbon, 15mm wide) is quite sturdy and simply slides out of its PCB connector embedded in the front panel on the left, so note which way round the blue ‘pull tab’ goes and pull the ribbon wire gently out. (You can choose to leave this connected if you have the dexterity to work around it, but you may find it slips out accidentally anyway.)
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Main board resting on the worktop, display PCB arrowed;)
The OLED display ribbon in situ, note pins 1-22 markedThe OLED display connects using a flexible printed circuit board ribbon. The connector is probably hidden under some masking tape which can be removed.
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Showing how the connector latches must be disengaged before disconnecting the ribbonDO NOT PULL THE RIBBON OUT! It’s numbered 1 and 22 to show the polarity of the flexible cable. Look closely at how the OLED ribbon is seated in the connector, which has a black plastic clamp to secure it in place.
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Use a pointed tool or maybe a fingernail to slide out the retaining latch at both endsA pointed plastic tool (or your fingernails) must be used to slide the black plastic clamp outwards to the edge of the PCB. It’s effectively just one latch with two handles on the end that pop out evenly about 2mm, and then gently slide out the display’s flexible ribbon.
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Then remove the flexible ribbon from the connectorThe rear of the OLED plastic housing is detached by removing four small Philips screws.
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The four Philips screws (circled) are removed nextYour display is probably screened with adhesive copper foil stuck to it. The display is merely stuck with double sided tape around the edges of the display. It is easy to gently pry it off using a plastic spudger tool and it will come away.
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Carefully pry the display away off the adhesive border
I FOUND THE NEW DISPLAY NEEDS TO BE STUCK ON ‘UPSIDE DOWN’ COMPARED WITH THE OLD ONE, TO ALIGN THE 1-22 PINOUTS OF THE PCB CONNECTOR.
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On this new display, the ribbon sprouts from the TOP edge and needs folding back. Compare yours carefully!Clean the window if necessary with eg a little Isopropanol. Unpeel the clear protection poly film off the new display. The OLED can be applied and stuck down, aligning it in the radio's display window as best you can. Depending on the type that you purchase, the flat flexible ribbon might sprout out of the TOP instead, if so, fold it over downwards towards the controller PCB so the 1-22 pinout markings are visible on the ribbon as before. The old adhesive should still be strong enough but you'll be able to lift and reposition the display if necessary.
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My replacement display fitted in place. Yours might look different. Main thing is to ensure the pinouts 1 > 22 align the right way roundRe-assembly, as they famously say, is the reverse of the above. Pass the OLED ribbon through the slot in the black plastic housing and screw down with 4 Philips screws.
I obtained a small reel of 50mm adhesive copper tape from Ebay and stuck it over the black plastic housing. That's optional.
To re-connect the OLED to the PCB, you must ensure the black plastic latches are STILL OUT by a few millimetres then gently slide the connector ribbon in as far as it will go. You'll know it's right when the bare copper conductors on the end of the flexible ribbon disappear into the housing, after which it can't go any further. Gently but firmly slide the black plastic latches inwards again to clamp the ribbon evenly in place.
If necessary, re-insert the silver front panel ribbon, the right way round, into its own connector ensuring the flat ribbon is even and flush with the connector.
Reconnect the loudspeaker and close up the housing by 'swinging it back into' the case, starting at the left-hand (telescopic aerial) side, always taking care not to strain the blue SnoozeHandle wire, then screw the rear back onto the housing.
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Powered up and working again! [click to see]The radio can then be powered up and tested. Mine worked immediately, even after all this time it remembered the settings and found my LAN again. The remote control worked again too with new batteries (remember there is a 'Hardware Bind' button in the remote, to pair it that way if needed). Surprisingly, my radio then updated its firmware over Wi-fi to V5.1.The display active/ standby brightness can be dimmed via the Options menu if it is too bright.
LEGACY LINK : Replacement Evoke Flow OLED Display from AJSDyno
Alan W
Copper foil screening
Just to clarify about the copper foil stuck behind the display (used for shielding against interference) - mine was stuck down solidly and impossible to lift off. If you can re-use the old foil, it can only help.
In October I found some 50mm copper tape on Ebay which I stuck over the rear of the OLED, on the black plastic itself. Search for eg 'copper foil EMI tape' on eBay, there's plenty of choice for adhesive copper screening tape in every size. AW
Alan W
Can't win 'em all...
Sad to say, my replacement yellow display (as pictured) didn't last all that long - it faded and rows of pixels have failed altogether. I've replaced it with a second spare that I'd bought at the same time (for repairing for old time's sake 5-10 years from now). That too isn't as bright as it could be, but at least it works.
The original yellow OLEDs have all but disappeared from sale altogether now, so there is next to no chance of getting a new replacement. At the time of writing, a few WHITE ones are popping up on sale (Ebay etc.) , claiming to be brand new, so I'm trying one of those before they're all gone too.
Unless a stash of displays is unearthed from somewhere, it will soon become impossible to get another display once those white ones have been snapped up, so make the most of your Pure Evoke radio while you can. Consider unplugging and switching off altogether when it's not in use, to preserve those OLEDs as long as possible. AW
Alan W
Alibaba Yellow OLED
Well it's on the way - I've ordered one of these from China for about $27.00, also as suggested by other buyers so I'll see what they look like. I was pleasantly surprised to source one-offs via Alibaba, though the ordering system is a bit convoluted.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2-7-inch-128x64-12864-SSD1305_60671545961.html
More news as it happens! AW
Alan W
Fitting a Yellow OLED sourced via AliExpress
I fitted a Yellow OLED sourced from Shenzhen Liyuan Huida Technology Co., Ltd via Alibaba – a convoluted ordering process but everything arrived intact within ten days with no problems experienced.
I’m happy to say this is working perfectly, a nice bright yellow display just like the original and it dims as required.
Unfortunately the black plastic ribbon clamp somehow ‘pinged’ out from the board altogether. It has two tiny plastic spigots that align into each end of the PCB connector shown in my photos, the clamp being underneath the ribbon cable. When it’s pushed fully home, it sandwiches the ribbon firmly in place. Sadly, one of these spigots jammed and broke off (not surprised after all the hammer it’s had). However the other spigot is still intact, so I carefully re-inserted it underneath the OLED display ribbon, and pushed it home again. This seems to have held together so far. It can’t be repaired so let’s hope it stays that way.
It's best to use eg a plastic spudger or similar to ensure the clamp is only pushed out by a millimeter or so, and do not use excessive force.
Only time will tell whether the latest display will last or fade or drop some pixels, but it's looking great so far. I'll report findings back here. AW
ED 
Reader Comments (241)
Hi Robi,
And anyone else who wants to get in touch!
Probably easiest is to use the "Contact seller" link on my Tindie store product page:
https://www.tindie.com/products/dhpltd/display-replacement-kit-for-pure-evoke-flow-radio/
Cheers
David
Hi Alan, I ordered a oled replacement screen for a Pure Evoke Flow through Alibaba from Jack Wan, it arrived this morning and I fitted this afternoon following your instructions, it was very easy to do and works great, nice and bright.
Thank you very much for setting all this up.
Col
Just a quick note for those still seeking a new Evoke Flow display. I can confirm that the new displays from Jack Wan on Alibaba (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/22pin-yellow-Pure-Evoke-F4-Oasis_60671545961.html) are still available, currently about £34 including postage. I gave up trying to find something cheaper, ordered 2 and received them 1 week later.
This display is very slightly different from the original, being a little greener in colour and needing the small lugs on the mounting panel trimmed off (see the previous note regarding the Winstar display (comment by Mark Douglas, 16th Aug, 2019).
Hi there
It's me again. Anything new for the Oasis Flow so far? I'm a bit in need of help. I've ordered the display already (because in the comments of it there are a few Oasis owner who said it will fit if you cut the plastics on the sides just for a tiny tiny bit.
Well, ok.... so far I managed to open the Oasis. unplugged the power jack. Unfortunately the display-area is sitting underneath the control panel. so I unscrewed every screw which I could find on it (5 - one in every corner + 1 in the middle above).
But the panel does not move. It is a little bit loose at the top, but the bottom sits very firm. It seems like its the area where the menu buttons are sitting on the outside.
I guess as the power will be plugged off now for a (longer) while now it means for my beloved radio: either I can manage it somehow to get through it, or it's a case for the bin :-(((
help?? anyone??
@ Sam I don't have any information about repairing the Oasis Flow, if I get any more details or photos from anybody I will post them online here. Meantime I would wait for more news.
Hi,
To change the screen on the oasis flow, you need to pull the two rubberised knobs off the front panel. I used an old credit card to slide behind them to get them to pop off.
Underneath are two nuts - unscrew them and you will be able to get that board out.
Make.sure you unclip the small transparent ribbon cable from the main board before you lift it out - it drives the touchscreen
David
I bought 3 displays from Jack Wan. Fitted one and it works perfectly. i think I may keep a spare so if anyone wants the 3rd one, I will sell it at cost plus postage US$36.80 plus postage.
Hello, I've just received the Oled replacement Kit from David Pye in 8 days, it worked perfectly, guidelines very clear and easy to install. Thank you David !
Ordered a replacement screen from Italy months ago, just got round to fitting it today, it works!! Thanks so much for the easy to follow instructions. Super service.
Hi David, just saw you message now. Never got an email from the forum so just happened to check today and saw your response. Thanks a mill for the details, ill be in touch!
Hello Sir,
I bought an green oled display sourced from Shenzhen Liyuan Huida Technology Co. via Ali BaBa. It's the good référence bit, unfortunatly, my display still doesn't work…
I Think the Problem is now the 2 silver front panel ribbons : They look broken.
Do you know what kind of ribbons that and where could I buy them ?
thanks.
Thank you for information, I have just replaced display in my sirocco 550.
My Pure Evoke F4 screen is eventually working again thanks to a kit from David Pye!
Because it should be future proof, I decided to go for the LCD (white on blue) screen: https://www.tindie.com/products/20617/
Rather than the OLED (yellow screen): https://www.tindie.com/products/20619/
that, again, would fade off with time.
The screen was shipped quickly and I received it in less than 24 hours after my order (I live in the UK). It arrived well packaged with all bits and pieces as described and with reference to the online instructions that are very clear and complete.
Although I do not have any particular skill in electronics, I was able to fit it in about 40 mins.
I can now operate my Pure Evoke F4 radio again, the screen works very well (given the “things to be aware of”... as indicated by David).
Thank you David for providing this kit!
Had this bookmarked for about a year now. the display on my Marshall 1s went about a year and a half ago. Finally bought a new display (ebay) and had a brave day to take it on
I echo everyone else on here - thank you Alan, fantastic step by step guide, it helps to know what to expect and some of those things are tricky. Big thanks to Neil’s post too regarding the Marshall and the differences that I would encounter
It works and I also looked like King fixer to my wife and son.
have a drink on me 😁
Cheers! - AW
Great info Alan. I have ordered new display from alibaba.com (Jack Wan) as per link supplied by you. Works perfectly fine. Thanks a million!
Just change the screen of my Evoke F4 with a new screen ordered on Alibaba. The glass is a little wider, so I had to cut off four plastic ergots but this is amazingly working, no miror problem, no polarity problem, get back a right luminosity. Many thanks Alan from France. (Just did that listening to new elected president Biden announcement).
Hi. With the information in this blog (and all comments) I was able to get a new display and install it.
Unfortunately Internetradio with my Pure Evoke Flow is no longer working. It tries to connect to servers that seem to no longer exist. And my credentials for "The Pure Lounge" are long forgotten...
Any hints or tips before I completely dismantle the radio and try to put an ESP32 internet radio in its casing? :-)
@ Tom PURE's the Lounge became a casualty long ago (so, your account, Favourites etc. are gone) and the mobile app is pretty hopeless too. But my radios can still display the station list and play live streaming radio. I'd check your WiFi setup is correct. AW
Worth checking you have the latest firmware (v5.1) as the older versions won't get any online connectivity.you can download it and upgrade over USB.
David
I have ordered a Display on 14.11.2020, it was shipped to Germany within 9 days so I received it on 23.11.2020. The display is a little bit bigger than the original one but still it was no problem to replace it with the help of this great website! Thank you very much Alan!
Now, when the radio is running again and I can change the radio station again (after listening to the same station for month) I would like to register the radio to have more than 10 favourite internet radio station. By now I couldn't manage it because the website is no longer available. Does any one has experiences with this?
Pure Sirocco 550 - Word of warning to amateurs like myself who wanted to have a go at replacing the faded display. I have just spent about 6 hrs dismantling the unit, fitting a new display and then rebuilding. Nothing works and the screen is blank.
If you plan to fit a new display to your unit I suggest you do it whilst accepting that you might fail and waste about £40.
Most people want to post success stories only but I'm prepared to admit to a fail.
Just mail me if you want a defective Sirocco 550 to have a play around with for little money +postage
@Alan W and @David Pye
I hereby proudly admit that I am an idiot :-)
Alan made me check everything again and David had the solution. It never occured to me that there could be a firmware update... I never checked that.
So I reassembled all the PCBs on my workbench (of course I had stripped down the whole radio to attempt to build something new out of it...), updated with the latest firmware and it works!
Reassembling the whole thing (I did not take notes because I thought it to be dead) and it's like new.
For those interested:
The PCB mounted on the rear with the connectors for power, USB, Aux etc. is just the amplifier circuit. The second PCB with the heavy shielding is the receiver for FM and DAB.
The whole logic board with the microcontroller is a 6 by 9 cm PCB glued between the front plate's layers in the lower right quadrant (where the illuminated touch resistive buttons are located).
So big thanks to everyone. I will now clean that thing and package it as a Christmas present :-)
Tom
@ Dave Very sorry to learn of the disappointment, I go to some pains (on the complex Avanti Flow anyway) to warn that it's tricky if you're inexperienced with microelectronics and there's a risk of failure and wasting money. But I would recheck everything including all connections and ribbon cables. The EEVblog has helpful folks on there who might be able to help, they are skilled engineers and technicians working at component level. EEVBlog AW
I found this tutorial really helpful in doing the same thing on a Pure Evoke D4. Many thanks for making it available!
Hi Alan, I have just installed a new OLed into an early Evoke Flow. I wouldn't have done it without you. THANKS.
I bought the OLed from Jack Chan via Alibaba. This all went well other than it took 20+ days to arrive
I am non technical and really without your instructions & pics no way could I have contemplated the task let alone do it.
Maybe the fiddliest bit for me was "reconnecting the OLED to the PCB, ensure the black plastic latches are STILL OUT by a few millimetres and then gently slide the connector ribbon in as far as it will go" - it was hard to tell if the connectors were actually as far in as possible and not wanting to force or damage them.
Anyway the radio came on first time retaining all settings. Display is now clearer and white. Fingers crossed it will last.
THANKS again
Clive