Digitech DOD280-14 DOD Compressor 280 Effects Pedal

So I bought a new 280 to replace my old 280, which after about three years went bad (footswitch, etc.). The new one looks and sounds the same, but I've noticed the previous settings I used to use on my old one needed adjusting on the new one. Was my old one a lemon from the start? I don't think so. This one seems to have less headroom. In any case, the jury's out on how well this one holds up. I've grown used to the unique way the optical compressor works (it pumps and breathes), so I'm not too enthusiastic about shopping for a different style/model/brand. But if this one goes bad, too, I'll have no choice but to assume the quality control for these units is poor.

The compressor does its job but has a lot of distortion internally (triple checked with different amps, cords, power supplies, and guitars). It doesn't matter how good a pedal is if it has such distortion. I returned mine and got a new one so I'll have to see if it was a defective pedal or the product itself.