A used Metcal MX 500P.
I second the used Metcal. You can buy everything used and then just buy the hand piece(s) brand new. Top quality soldering system, and due to its industry popularity you can pick up tips fairly cheaply. Which makes it an economical solution long term.
Metcal is the best.
Once upon a time, sure.
Now however, other brands have caught up. And some have even surpassed Metcal's performance, such as JBC.
The OP bought an Ersa from their professional line, not a fucking Yihua. Ersa is hardly the Kia of soldering stations!
Exactly.
Of the professional brands, I'd place Hakko as the Kia equivalent to use a car analogy. And at least in the US, pricing would be equivalent to a Kia as well IMHO.