Gain is set to around 11 o'clock, master set to around 11/12 o'clock. I also have a fuzz in my chain the ramps the pre up a bit. Not excessively loud, or running the amp hard. EQ is set reasonably flat with a bump in the low mids and bass slightly cut. There's a fair bit of cone movement, which is acceptable apparently, but might go the thumpinator route anyway.
I normally give it a few mins to warm up whilst I'm setting up. If heats the only danger, I'll keep an eye on it. More headroom would result in less heat though wouldn't it?
[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1389921207' post='2339678']
Ashdown amps usually come with a fire extinguisher, didn't you get yours..? [JOKE]
[/quote]
Ah, that's what they're for! I was led to believe they were for bashing people over the head with if they diss'd Ashdown!