Can't offer an opinion on the Kenwood, I'm not familiar with it...sorry.

Regarding the fader, I would definitely bypass it and use the head unit fader control. Simply run new wires from the head unit to the rear speakers. You can hide them under the carpet. Easy install, plenty of info on this forum on how to do it if you run a search on the subject.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon