Used my PF500 for the first time in a medium sized but loud pub gig last night, the amp was bought primarily as a back up to a Genz SL900, so other than rehearsals this was used in anger in light of this topic !
Using the Ampeg preset SVT jazz settings I went passive J straight in (via 2 2x10 Bergantinos), and importantly for this gig masses of head room (we get loud in a "controlled" manner lol) More than happy, bags of noticeable tone and the compressor smoothed things out to my liking.
For c.£300 what's not to love ? My only issue is the current lack of rack mounting ability - which kinda misses the whole portaflex ethos ! It's not quite an SVT, it doesn't claim to be - but it's great amp in it's own right. It's not going to replace the Genz, but for my investment I'm a happy camper.