It's a been a long time! I still enjoy the tracks I got from you during the CD exchange we did while you were still active.
I've been hooking my iPod up to my stereo the same way ever since the audio-out jack on my dock stopped working. With the iPod volume turned up all the way, I have to turn my receiver's volume up pretty far -- nowhere near maximum, but well above what I normally use for my CD player.
Are you having the turn up your Denon to near max? If not, I wouldn't worry about having to go higher than normal.