Has anyone ever disassembled an HU-6xx

[fazool]

I don't mean removing or replacing, I mean actually taken an HU-613/650 and opened it up.

I saw a thread on an 850 head unit (HU-813 I think) where the author intercepted the cricuit from the tape deck into the amp and connected a stereo jack. Doing this ran the iPod input directly into the amp bypassing the cassette adaptor and tape head and resulting in much better sound quality. This was possible because the tape drive is a sub-unit and runs an accessible pre-amp signal line into the head unit's amp section.

I intend to do attempt something similar, and a little more advanced:

On my S60's HU-615, I'd like to find the line which feed pre-amp signals fomr the tape head into the HU amp. I intend to break those wires/traces and solder in a selector switch.

I envision adding a little rotary switch somewhere on the front panel and a stereo input jack. This way it can run as a nice clean iPod amplifier and if I ever want to play one of my hundreds of cassettes I haven't lost the tape player.

I know Spec-USA offers a solution as well, but this project could be done for under $10 and about two hours of tinkering.

SOp, I am starting some research and wondering if anyone has any info on the internals of the HU-615?

[Reboot]

I was considering trying this mod as well. The HU-813 has the cassette unit on top but the HU-613/650 has it sandwiched between the CD and radio. This could make it a little more difficult to get to the head unit. From what I understand about the mod you would still be able to play a regular tape so a rotary knob would not be necessary. There was an issue with using a tape and playing the ipod at the same time, that is why you needed a cassette with the tape removed to get the unit to work.
Let us know how you make out and take lots of pictures when you do it. If get to it before you I will be sure to document it...