I am not sure if you should only mention axe fx here. People like edo, mick, michael and so on get brilliant sounds out of it, most of them which you and i can't tell the difference with edge himself. Also mention changing his amps for 'new' ac30's.
http://www.mixonline.com/news/tours/...ur-2015/424970
So i think there's more to this. I know the old feelings of analog pedals vs multi fx, but i wonder how it would survive in a blind test (as michael suggestion a couple of times).
People tend to think politicians used to be 'more' nobel back in the days compared to nowadays.. i don't believe it.
Imho ofcourse.