[OFF] Desoldering Tool recommendation needed

[Bluzzi]

Finally looking at doing some mods on my Magnum etc. I don't want to use a hand vacuum pump any more. I was looking at the Hakko 808 model for desoldeing. It gets mixed reviews.

Anyone here using it or can tell me if its OK? My budget is $200 so that leaves out other models unless I go used.

Your opinions are appreciated.

Thanks

Jim

[Jdm5149]

hey there....i just finished doing 13 channels on my magnum...i used the hand vacuum and it worked out well not a pro yet at soldering but i got the job done...mic pre definitely makes a difference and like someone said in a previous post,, the channel and eq seem to have a much better sound...i hear the lower mids a bit better i'm gonna check out that tool u are asking about

[Bluzzi]

What mods did you perform on the Magnum? Did you retrofit the Audiomaintenance preamp or just re-cap?

I could use the hand pump but I find results vary. I am hoping a vacuum de-soldering tool will give me more consistent results.

Thanks.

Jim

[Jdm5149]

hey jim . i did the complete upgrade ... mic pres and caps ...bought the tools to take off the dual pots which really helped...might wait before i do the rest of the board , i'm currently painting the room and setting up my rack... i'm shooting for a memorial day startup

[Bluzzi]

The pre kits come with all the caps right? I have one I never installed, but I'll have to dig it up. Nice to know you like the improvements. I've also got the tools as well as the extender cards, all from Audiomaintenance (thank you Collin).

Did you try re-capping the master section?

Jim

[Jdm5149]

Yeah. I think that will be my next step. Probably recap the subs and main. I guess I will ask Colin about that. That megamix controller seems real tempting but like u said I just can't justify it. I have the other megamix which works thru the inserts and I think I won't even hook it up.

[Bluzzi]

I've been toying with the idea of making a Mute automation system. No sync necessarily just scene record and playback. The Magnum already has half the circuitry in it. All you need is a way to set more Mute groups (as in the current 2).
Of course it wouldn't be too hard to trigger the scenes with a sync'd signal like MIDI note on/off.


Jim

[AnalogStudio7]

Hey Jim,

I have a couple of links for you, having just done a Magnum upgrade and recap myself.

I got a batch of the Audiomaintenance Magnum Langley Mic-Pres here in the USA from GRS pro Audio. The cost was about the same as getting them from the UK after doing the currency conversion and adding in the shipping cost, which is pretty expensive!

They don't list the Langley Mic-Pres on their web site, so just ask the guys at GRS for what you want. The Mic-Pres were in stock.

GRS is at http://www.grssystems.com

You will really like these mic-pres!

I got a real nice Xytronix 988D de-soldering & soldering station from Howard Electronics. Here's a link below for the unit I got. It's a lot easier to use than the Hakko (I have one also) hand held units, which are heavier. The 988D is really nice. Easy to hold and do a lot of caps without getting tired. All digital temp controls and the soldering iron is thin and lightweight. Plenty of heat (goes to over 850F) I'm loving it!

Here's a link: http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/988d.html

Hope this helps. Good luck on your recapping and mic upgrades! It's well worth it!

Cheers!

Greg

[Bluzzi]

Hey Greg, thanks for the links. The Xytronix 988D looks like a great deal. I can't see a dealer in Canada so I will have to get from U.S. For $100 more than HAKO its worth it. I don't need the soldering part of it though.

They also have the LF6000 which is desoldering only but does lead free solder. Same price. I may consider this one as its not discontinued and smaller. Any comments on that?

I had not idea GRS had the pres. When I'm ready I'll get pricing from them too. I'm in Canada so any advantage may be negated.

Its nice to hear that you like the pres. The pres in the Magnum are not bad (not great either) but improvement is welcome. Did you try re-capping a strip without installing the pre?

Again thanks for the info. As soon as budget allows I'm buying one of those models! Thanks for mentioning the HAKKO weight as I was wondering about that. The Xytronix looks way more comfortable for big jobs especially. I've learned the hard way about not getting the right tools for the job. You end up in the end getting the one you should have bought in the first place.

Keep in touch my fellow Magnum owner.

Jim

[AnalogStudio7]

Hey Jim,

I considered getting the lead free Xytronix version also, but since we can still get lead solder here in the USA, I got the 988D. The LF6000 looks good if you don't need the soldering iron. Basically the same as the 988D design but higher temperatures. The price is right!

The Hakko hand held units are great, I use one a lot when I have to work on an installed piece or equipment that I can't take to the bench to work on. But the Hakko's do get heavy after a while. And since you have to remove your channel modules anyway to recap them and put them on a bench to work on, the Xytronic base station unit with the lite weight handpiece was a perfect solution for me. Perfect for doing a whole bunch of recapping!

I did recap my modules first before installing the Langley mic preamp upgrades. The recapping did improve the sound a lot. My caps were really old! But the biggest improvement to me was in the mic circuit when I did the Langley mic-pre upgrades! How do I explain the difference... I guess I would say that the sound is cleaner, like taking a fabric sheet off from covering over your speakers. More clarity, but the recorded sounds I was getting also had more fullness to it. I don't need to EQ as much. And more transient. Like more punch to the transients, drums and such. To me its the best bang for the little amount of bucks that the Langley upgrades cost!

Check with GRS on the shipping. I initially got 4 Langley pres from them and they paid the freight to me. And I was told that they do this for USA and Canadian shipments over a certain dollar amount purchased. This was back a few months ago, but check with them. I have been dealing with Ted, Joe and Greg there. Also, they have all the parts for the Magnum, like the switches, pots, connectors, faders, ICs, knobs, manuals. They even had a batch of rebuilt Magnum channels with all the upgrades. They do repairs and recapping work too. They do PSU rebuilds and they make a line of their own PSU's. They're a good resource in North America for Amek / Tac owners, for sure!

Cheers,

Greg
AnalogStudio7