on the Marantz, it is a signal gain adjust that is before the amplification stages, adjusts the incoming signal from the RCA's before the signal goes to the "amplifier"...
if you have some extra cash, i say buy one of the Marantz units, i have been very happy with mine. I've had mine for 8-9 years now... the only reason i changed amps was due to the need for more power. I was driving the marantz into clipping on several channels durring movies (darn open concept)...
I don't know if there are any current generation amps that take have this option or not, the Marantz might have had this to get "THX" certified or something..?
