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Ashdown ABM 575 EVO III question

Hey all. Just wondering - I usually set my bass input signal so that it doesn't ever hit the red section of the VU meter, however I set the valve drive at about 1/2 oclock. If I set the input higher so that each note hits inside the red does this run the risk of harming something, or just distort the note more?
Hope my question makes sense.
 
I don't think it would do any harm.

Ashown VU meters, as cool looking as they are, are pretty much useless IMO/IME.
Better to just use your ears, if it sounds good no prob.

Unless that needle is glued to the right hand corner of the VU meter, I don't care about it at all.
 
It just distorts the note more, no harm done. Use your ears, not your eyes with the VU meter. It looks cool but doesn't really indicate anything useful. If you get really harsh clipping it might pay to pull it back a tad but.