It's necessary that a few guitarists buy emulators, supporting research in that area. But I sure don't want to hear failed emulators on the radio. If someone is going to the trouble to cut a record, there is no reason for them to use an emulator rather than a traditional amp. There is no reason for professional guitarists to use emulators to cut records. I see more and more signs of acceptance of emulators even in the studio, and I absolutely am against it, because tube amps have vastly richer tone.
Tube amps are an essential part of rock guitar tone.
The 80s were the musically lame period, where bad sound dominated. But the 90s are struggling to do better. It's ironic that while the 50 watt tube amp design industry is at an all-time high, some guitarists are omitting the amplifier and guitar speaker completely, plugging into the board. And getting mediocre, 2nd or 3rd rate tone, when all these awesome tube amps are sitting there waiting to be used. The 90s doesn't quite grasp the tube sound.