Why not, given it will be cheaper than every other axe fx version available and still sound as good as it did at last update? New versions of things dont make previous versions sound worse.
And a JCM800 with no maintenance done likely wont sound like a JCM800 in 50 years
Good luck finding tubes in 50 years. I think there's only something like 3 or 4 factories left in the world now. All modern production tubes come from one of those few factories and are just rebranded.
Agreed one doesn't make the other worse, but an Axe FX unmaintained and stored in someone's cuboard may not work too.
Yeah I have heard a few "fantastic" sounding unmaintained tube amps in my time, snap, crackle and pop your way through the set!
Also good point on tube availability, but I will raise you chip availability specific to the unit. Try to find a Pentium 1 chip, mobo and some PC66 ram to run your old games plus a lovely ATX power supply. That kit is probably 25 years old, and I would guess I could still buy a valve for a 50s TV lol.
I think if you look back over modelling it has progressively improved year on year. Some may argue that amps have not progressed in the same fashion or in the same way. I am not a tube snob by any stretch, I have owned more modellers than tube amps by quite a margin but if people think modellers sound like tube amps, I think they, in my opinion, are mistaken and that's why what sounds authentic now won't in a short period of time, there is still evolution to be had. That does not take away from the likes of Kemper or Fractal or Line6, as I believe these products are potentially more suited to the modern musician (I gigged my Kemper after getting sick of carrying my JVM) but I have heard, and had internal debates, about modelling and a lot of purchase justification goes on, and I include myself in that. The truth is, if it suits the purpose, why worry. I will reserve my judgement on the Axe FX 3 as it didn't turn up today so I have to wait until Monday now.
For me, it's the application of recording that makes modeling appealing. I can dial up a phaser, delay, 2 amps etc without buying anything afterwards. I have creative reign over my track (albeit distractingly so at times) and in 50 years time when I get famous at the ripe old age of 95, I'll reamp my DI tracks.
The only thing that bugs me is the planned obselence and financial loss with digital equipment but I balance that with it being fit for purpose, for example I own a Peugeot 5008 because its practical and fits the needs of my family and when I am gigging. No one in 50 years time is going to be scouring the internet for a used 2019 5008. To me tube amps are like a Ferrari, impracticable for most of today's modern purposes but are a lot more fun to drive. In 50 years time, that Ferrari will be worth more than it is now......providing it's been maintained and you can buy tubes.
I am grateful for the work all developers do from Kemper to Fractal, from Protocols to Cubase, the same as from Marshall to Mesa, all pushing eachother to make better systems for us to use.
That's my ramblings done....probably completely off topic lol.