Hi !
Definitely clipping in a digital domain is not good as is not the same as analog clipping in any way. This is a long topic but while you read and learn more stay out of RED. BTW some of that emulations are created to react or have a " sweet spot " input at gain stage. If you see more videos of CLA working with the analog gears you see that he have his toys already tweaked to react for a specific gain input *afaik*.
Of course recording is science but art too so the art part its pretty open to anything,
from that view only thing have to worry is the people to appreciate and like your art if you want to live or make money of it. Thats my humble opinion
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