I got a cheapo simple dock connector to Aux wire on ebay for $8 shipped (from Hong Kong in 5 days no less) and compared it head to head with my $5 3.5 male/male wire (from the headphone jack) and holy smokes what a difference. It's 4 clicks louder on the vol **** (ipod at 3/4 volume) and sounds tons better. I had to turn the bass and treble down on the headunit with the dock connector wire. I thought I'd have to turn it up, not down. It's way better sound, and cheap. Get one quick.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

 

Thanks! Ordered one myself.

 

When using the dock connector the volume of the iPod does not effect the loudness. Think of the the dock connector as line-out.

Also that link that you provided is for a standard 3.5mm stereo audio cable and not a dock connector to 3.5mm stereo.

Somethign like:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

or

http://www.amazon.com/Ipod-Dock-Conn...6669908&sr=8-6

Is what would provide greater sound quality.

 

Sorry for the incorrect link (edited). The amazon one is thicker, the black one is thin but has a retractor to coil the extra wire (and it's black, no Sharpie needed). I know it's a line out but some said the volume is too low if you don't have a powered unit with an amp. Not so with what I bought. It's way louder than the headphone jack. Now I need to figure out how to get a hole in the bottom of my Belkin cupholder for the dock connector so I can keep the iPod in the case, then I'm set.

 

The stereo has a setting for aux input level. You can bump it up or down to match the level of the radio or CD.

 

For $8 this has improved the sound system in my Mini about 50%. What I'm saying is if you spend $$ on stuff and still connect through the headphone jack you're wasting your money. Do this first and see.

 

I agree completely. The fact is that the expensive iPod adapters use the same audio output as provided by this type of cable. The adapters also provide charging the iPod and allow control and display with the headunit and steering wheel, but the audio itself is the same quality as from this $8 purchase.

 

Does anyone know how this is done? I assume the level is set at the HU...

 

Audio--Aux--see the Volume thing? Press the button underneath that, then adjust the volume with the **** and push it in again.