I agree with producer Lasse Lammert when it comes to modelers vs Kemper.
"pros and cons vs a fractal?"
-"Lasse Lammert: easy answer:
Fractal sounds like a really good amp modeller that mimics the tone of someone else's idea of how a miked amp should sound.
Kemper: sounds like your rig/an actual amp (not like a modeller).Both have great FX."
Of course I respect Lammert's opinion, though I also respect the opinion of engineers like Jack Douglas. Douglas engineered John Lennon's 'Imagine', Aerosmith's 'Toys In The Attic', and produced albums for Supertramp, Slash's Snakepit, and other top acts, so he definitely has an ear for good tone in my opinion, and he uses an Axe in the studio.
A Wagener video found in this long list of hundreds of bands and producers using kemper on albums and live.
Maybe it's this video you referred to?
That's the one.
So sure someone would be comfortable with the AXE II, Helix, Eleven etc. but their comfort is based on unrealistic response that isn't captured by the various modeler of how a tube amp should sound and respond.
In my opinion, there are far too many venerable engineers, bands, and artists using the Axe II in the industry to compare it to a sugar substitute. These are people who know good tone and can afford any piece of gear they want and have plenty of tube amps at their disposal. If they say it's good enough for studio use and touring, that's saying something.