Micro Hi Fi with USB or not

[loverboy]

Hi folks,
I have at the moment a set of Hi Fi seperates which I have been very pleased with.
However because of "her indoors", space is now an issue so I am looking at some micro systems. The one I am leaning towards is an Onkyo CR-715, which has good reviews, but this system does not have a USB connection.
How necessary or important is this USB conn to have? Does it allow you to copy to a memory stick or does it just allow you to play music etc through the Hi Fi from an Ipod? Is there any other advantage to having one?
What I really need to know is is it worth loosing some quality of sound etc just to facilitate having a USB connection?
Thanks in advance for your answers.

[fo3nix]

Well I guess that's up to you.

Some hifis with USB contain encoding chips, so they could make mp3s from your CDs and put them on a USB flash drive you stick in.

Most others (including the one I have... some cheapish Hitachi that actually sounds quite good) just play mp3s from a flash drive.

Note that the hifi in this latter case will likely only see mp3 files directly on the flash drive (and maybe in some folders too). iPods won't play, because they store their music files in special places that the hifi won't know where to look. Cheaper mp3 players just stick the files on the drive though, so these will play. For an iPod, get a headphones to phono cable, and stick it in the AUX.

Personally I've never used the flash drive. I didn't buy it for that purpose though, it just came with the unit.

[loverboy]

Cheers fo3nix,
I think to be honest I am going to plug for the quality hifi without the USB. I can't see me wanting to copy any radio station that often so it wouldn't get used a lot.
If I want to make mp3's to cd I will just use my PC.