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)
Thanks a lot for this very helpful guide Alan. I found that the black plastic latch was stuck and eventually broke as I tried to prise it open. Luckily I could slot it back into place but one of the two lugs was damaged.
On another note, are the replacement OLED screens equally susceptible, such that they will be dimming in another five years?
It's inevitable that the replacements will go the same way, it's the organic element that wears out. The original Bolymin OLED had a life span of 30,000 hours according to its data sheet - that's 3½ years operating 24x7, or longer if it's not powered at full brightness. The OLED life span for latest TVs is reaching 100,000 hours, or the lifespan of a typical TV set.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the guide - I've never attempted to open anything electronic before but with your guide and hopefully the replacement part I can get the same result.
Just before I go on this adventure, can you confirm that this part here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pure-Evoke-Flow-Avanti-Flow-F4-New-100-BRIGHT-screen-display-OLED-yellow-/123379878468?oid=273419891929
...would be of the type that you'd go for and also, did you use any other tools to make this any easier or was it limited to Philips screwdrivers and thr pointy plastic spudger linked to on your page?
Thanks,
Craig.
The display seems to be suitable and clearly the web page states it's fully compatible but I have not tested that particular supplier.
Plastic pry tools or spudgers are useful to have. I used no other tools. If you take things slowly and carefully you should have no problems.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the install guide - much appreciated. I just replaced my badly faded display and my Evoke Flow is like new again! Cannot believe I had been living with a faded display for quite a number of years before I thought about doing this.
I bought the display from the Alibaba vendor others have posted above and the display works perfectly. Very bright. It was also very easy to install with your instructions. I found the silver ribbon was glued down, but it did not get in the way of removing or reinserting the display ribbon.
URL again: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2-7-22-pin-yellow-white_60671545961.html?
Cheers,
Gary
Great guide. I feel lucky that I searched the problem online and I hope I can save my old Pure Evoke from going into landfill. I've just placed an order for replacement screen for £26.
Thank you! Brilliant tutorial, essential photos!
I was using my Evoke Flow without display for a few years now, but had my network provider changed and was unable to reset the internet password on the radio, even in the dark. Got a new display from eBay. A white one, that was virtually identical to the original. Did not have to put it upside down. Bright whitish blue display now, new life to the radio!
Brilliant guide. Just replaced the screen & it's working great. I've set the settings to half brightness and to go off after 7 seconds when not in use.
Hi Alan,
Commented on 3rd Sept about how great it was to have my radio up and running again. I posted my eBay source for the replacement screen too.
Sadly, before the end of September, the screen had failed. I'm back to square one and £20 lighter. Contemplating trying one of the white LED screens that sources are advertising as the same connector.
Have you had (or heard of) any experience with the white LED screens in the Pure Evoke Flow?
Cheers
I too had issues with the lifespan of the replacements, I guess they are at their shelf life and they faded quite quickly but are still serviceable. I've recently received one of the white ones which I'll try before long. I'm afraid it will become a struggle to find replacements as time goes by and alternatives will become few and far between.
Hi,
Thank you all for the above advice,
I’ve just bought a replacement OLED for the pure evoke flow from eBay.
I’ll let you know if I manage to get it all working again as I’m sick of the radio being stuck on talksport football, as we can’t see to change the channel back to my beloved 70’s radio!
Thanks again, watch this space!
My Evoke flow went dim, pretty much unusable.
I havered about buying a replacement display, due to the cost.
In the end I did from mk_bestdeals on ebay UK
It cost me £30 plus p&p, hence my hesitation.
The unit arrived in good time, is very similar to the original item, and it works. (No need to insert upside down)
Thanks to the writer of these instructions, they made things a lot easier.
I now have the display brightness on 5 and off after 7 seconds.
Thanks again to the individual who took so much effort to show the replacement method.
Well, I tried,
I bought a new panel thingie, off eBay,
I followed your instructions carefully by the letter, but it seems, I will forever be stuck on the football channel, as the display isn’t working,
Oh and I broke one of the tiny legs off the ribbon clamp .
At least the radio still works, on one channel at least,,,,
Thanks for the pictorial though.
X
Well that's a real bummer :( It is quite hard to get things wrong or cause any damage. It sounds to me like the damaged ribbon cable clamp isn't gripping the ribbon properly, but it may still work if you jiggle it around and maybe use a dab of hot melt glue to secure it. Check also that the ribbon is indeed pushed all the way home until it won't go any further, and is the right way round. :(
Thanks sooooo much, so happy and proud to have fixed my beloved radio without my dad's help !
Hi There
I found your instructions really helpful. I bought a replacement display from an eBay seller - cost £28 and I now have the radio working again.
The new display does have quite a few defective areas which I have contacted the seller about.
Thanks Again
John Taylor
Following your instructions I did this job this morning.
I bought the display from the Alibaba website and total price including postage was £17.40. I ordered the display and it arrived in 7 days.
I’m very grateful for your article which took me step by step through the process.
Thanks again John Parvin
I bought a yellow OLED display from these guys in Bulgaria in April 2018 and had no issues with payment or delivery to UK etc. Just checked and they have some still in stock. Fitted screen fine but broke the soldering to the speaker in the process! A bit of resoldering later and everything works fine. Screen good 6 months after fitting.
https://store.comet.bg/Search/?keywords=WEX012864DLPP3N00000#eyJpcHAiOiIyMCIsImsiOiJXRVgwMTI4NjRETFBQM04wMDAwMCJ9
Another radio repaired and back to perfect working order. Many thanks for the instructions.
Great write up Alan. I've just sourced a new display on Ebay for £28 and fitted it this morning. I took photos of the process with the thought of doing a blog post, but then I found yours so decided not to bother :)
I managed to peel off most of the sticky copper but busted the ferrite ring that the display cable passed through in the process of trying to unstick it. Like you, I re-applied the sticky copper to the plastic retaining plate rather than to the display.
Although claimed to be new - my display has one row of dead pixels (2nd up from the bottom of the screen) but I'm not going to worry about that. Whether it was like that as supplied or I've damaged it I don't know. I'm just glad I have a usable Evoke Flow once more.
Sad that Pure don't offer repairs on this model any more. Sales of new kit is must be more profitable than repairing old models :(
Glad you got sorted. I now have both a white OLED and an Alibaba Yellow type to test. I do wonder whether these are all factory seconds and I question their lifespan, but only time will tell and besides, it's better than nothing. I will post followups over Christmas.
A great tutorial!! Bought and fitted a new display, easy to follow instructions. Pondering whether to buy a spare display to fit in future years, seems a waste of a very good radio not to have a spare display.
Thanks Alan!!!!
Hi Alan,
My Dad was an radio and TV engineer in the 70's and he fixed everything! Nothing was replaced as per the current (my) generation. Manufacturers have made repairing products an impossibility and driven us to this unsustainable lifestyle.
Hopefully in the future we should be able to repair products more easily to save this world, especially if the manufacturers are forced to consider this requirement in the design process (pending legislation).
Great article, I nervously ordered oled from China on 27th Dec 2018 and the display arrived 10th Jan 2019. Got delayed because of custom charge of £11 unfortunately. Took an hour to fit. The black plastic clip was the most difficult for me - be gentle!
Now have a fully working digital radio and saved loads of my money and helped the environment.
Dad would of been proud :-)
Sorry to hear you got hit by Customs charge, I suspect it is VAT as there is no duty on goods <£135 inc shipping. That makes it a pricey part. I agree that repairing is much better and more satisfying than a culture of throwing away. Only if it's totally irreparable or obsolete will I scrap something. I have swapped the display a few times and the ribbon cable clamp is very delicate, mine is now hanging on by a thread. I must re-align the display slightly as the right-hand edge is masked by the front panel, but otherwise the yellow Alibaba one is working well so far. Unfortunately I am now being spammed by Chinese vendors of displays!
Thanks Alan for all the info here - I love my Evoke Flow - I have the external speaker, battery and remote for it so when the display slowly faded to invisibility I was very sad - I rely on this radio to hear all the UK radio stations over here in the US.
Thanks to the links on your page I ordered a new display from AliBaba and fitted it today - display is brighter than it has been for years! I didn't get any customs etc. charge, but then I am in the US so probably not relevant to anyone in the UK.