Please tell me why I should avoid Ashdown amps? (aka why Ashdown are just great!)

[jezzaboy]

To be honest I love ABM and MAG heads but their cabs leave a lot to be desired. I have had several different types, ABM, RM, MAG over the years and for me a Rumble 500 blows them out the water.

[Bagman]

I have my Ashdown CTM-300 absolutely purring today

My favourite amplifier of all time 

[ASW]

I've got an RM800 evo III on its way to me, so look forward to trying it. I've never owned an Ashdown amp (I had a 6x10 cab once though). I have used them before though and have a question.

 

Does anyone actually use the drive, compressor and sub controls or are they just gimmicks best left turned off? I seem to recall that the ABMs I've used previously were much better with the compressor and sub completely off. 

[NHM]

The drive is good, but the compressor and sub are not to my taste.

[Lozz196]

On the RM I leave compressor and sub off, drive on about a quarter to just blur the edges on the sound, on the ABM I used to have drive about halfway. Wasn’t so much for noticeable drive but for the added thickness and harmonics.

[spyder]

Sub and compressor off for me. 

The drive is very good at adding some hair to your bass sound.