The Rockman/Boston/Def Leppard discussion is interesting because I'm facing this conundrum right now.
I have a nice tube amp and it sounds screaming great - turned all the way up to 11. On 1/4 volume, it doesn't sound AT ALL like I need it to sound.
I'm working on my album in my bedroom, on a home PC, and I really have no choice - I HAVE to use an amp simulator to get anywhere close to the sound I want because other people live here and I have to be mindful of their ****ing ears.