Fredenstein Artistic Leveler

The unit does feel cheap while turning pots and handling but it is very inexpensive, so that's not bad at all.
While there are a few settings that work very good (and that's why it is a real pity the lack of design), in most occasions if you want to get more than almost-zero gain reductions you have to pump input and get a way too hot output which crashes against the next unlucky module or A/D converter. The output level pot can only stay stuck on its minimum, and the output is anyway too loud. What is it made for? I tried to beg some clarifications by Fredenstein with no answers. Two units back to Thomann, pity, I miss two optical comps whith such potential.