Some stepped gain controls are actually switching in components rather than operating a continuous pot.
Personally, the more I live with the stepped gain of the R-44 the more I like it, but I guess it's not for everyone.
(Advantages - precise resettability, precise changing of gain across multiple channels. Disadvantages - at worst you might end up recording 5.99dB below the level you wanted - if the steps are 6dB - but the chances of that actually mattering audibly in the end result with the gear we have these days is pretty small, imho).