Yes --- and since the signal is "weak" you should used shielded -- just of a higher quality than these units were born with!
I agree -- an 8 pin single connection would be handy. Not sure why they did it this way. I never researched it... I just fixed the poor wiring.
Solder sucker (desoldering tools) are available almost anywhere they sell electronic supplies - soldering irons etc.... but not at Home Depot etc... you've got to get a little more upscale than that!!
A quick search for "desoldering tool" on Amazon had a couple of pages of 'em - from $5 versions to a couple hundred dollar "desoldering STATION" -- now that is fancy! You could go into the business!!
