CE-3 CHORUS excessive hiss along w/ low through output

[analog kid]

Hey , I have a green label japan ce3 chorus that I've had awhile but just tucked away because of its seemingly very hissy nature.  I know it's often 'normal' to have some hiss, but this one really was bad, and on any of the unit's output settings except the 'direct' which was as quiet as bypass. but the dry 'vibrato' ,or wet chorus settings both are really hissy. 

anyway I got it out to mess with and all of a sudden realized that the guitar signal passing through the unit is extremely low volume when compared to plugging straight in. both in effect AND bypass!
I am wondering  if this may point to a problem somewhere that is also responsible for the excessive hiss?  it would make sense I think.
So would anyone have ideas on where to look for a possilble failing component in this circuit that would cause this or what to try to remedy it?  It really does make it unusable! The only thing I tried previously before realizing that the output volume was so dampened , to help the hiss  was replacing the BBD 3207 with one from a similar, Quiet chorus unit.
   Help or ideas what to try are really appreciated

[analog kid]

NO Way,  Noone has a good guess what would cause a CE3 (or maybe any boss pedal)  to exhibit very reduced through volume in BOTH on and bypass modes?!  I find it hard to believe but I likeily was just overly descriptive in my question.
anyway I'm sure If I find out the most likely culprit for the reduced volume then the hiss may take care of itself.   Would it be in the buffering of the circuit ?, a transistor??    I am at a loss of where to even start looking though I have the schematic!!
Someone , Anyone? bump