I have owned all the major vintage amps at one time or another. I have always come back to the Vox AC30 TB as a performance amp. No special settings, bass treble at 7, cut 5, then dial the volume up to suit the room, anywhere from 6-7 to flat out. It just has the nicest sounding naturally over-driven sound.
To rehearse or practice, or generally muck around, I have it's smaller, older brother, the AC 15. It is unfortunately a little small for live venues.
Amps are such a personal and subjective thing. I love the fact that we can all have our favourites and agree to disagree.
Keep music live!