I've tried that as well. Kind of using it for a clean boost, and it does sound great, but it left me in the same situation. (Damn, logic wins again! :) ) So, now I keep the gain and level knobs in unity with the gain about 10% less than level and bring them up or down together so when I switch, there is no change in volume. They sit about 12:00 and I get a nice crunch from that setting.

It's a little bit like 'you can't have your cake and eat it too'. :p