Audio Systems: Sony mini Hi-Fi / IPOD question, mini hifi system, sony cmt

Question
Hello , I am hoping you may be able to help me on my following question/problem!:

After reading many reviews I have recently purchased the Sony CMT-HX9DAB mini hifi system and over all I am very happy with it.

However to my disappointment, it does not have any phono connections and relys on the USB connection and a 3.5mm audio in port. The USB does not work with my IPOD, and seems to be very bias to sony products/mp3 players.

I only option I have is to connect my IPOD via 3.5mm Jack - Jack lead via the audio in port - this works ok but the volume levels seem to be very quiet compared to listening to a CD or listening to the radio on the Hi-fi, even when the IPOD device is at maximum volume???

Can you help me on this or is this as good as it gets?!, maybe other systems have the same set up and phono inputs are being phased out in general on small hi-fi units.
I have tried contacting Sony but they say the audio in port is the only option, and I am guessing there is no software/hardware on the market so the stereo recognizes the USB device (Ipod).

Any help much appreciated
Thanks you
Lee

Answer
Your manual, page 30, lists all the compatible USB devices; and even those listed are not guaranteed to work.

For aux input, in which this unit has standard sensitivity and impedance, will produce full audio with 250mv (.25 volts) input level.

Any mp3 player that I know of produces an output at maximum setting of 1.0 volt.  The specifications for an Apple iPOD audio output is 30mw into 32 ohms.  This will produce .97 volts if connected to the 47k input of the Sony system.  Based on these technical specifications the iPOD should drive the amplifier/speaker system of your HX9DAB to full power.  Therefore, either the connecting cable is defective or one or other of your devices is defective.  Make sure the plug is fully and completely connection into the jack on the units.  Sometimes they don't go all the way freely.

If a friend or some other member of the family has an alternate mp3 player you might try that and see what happens.  You should, also, be able to obtain a very inexpensive cd player at Kelkoo or such for testing.  Some cheap portable cd players are under 5 pounds; they are good for testing because they all have line out of 1v audio.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
C