Ive had my Axe a little over a year, and the more I use it the more I look at my amps and pedals that I havn't even wanted to use, and debate on why I don't just sell them.
I’ve found a modeler of choice into a power amp and real guitar cab is about as good as it gets for flexibility and $ saving. You can go DI to record or front of house while simultaneously getting that real amp sound/feel on stage.
I keep tube amps and love em but they definitely aren’t a requirement to sound good.