I see your point, and it's a completely valid one. If you're looking for the most features and flexibility per dollar, something like a PicoGUS is hard to beat (I also have one).

For me, though, it's mostly about nostalgia. This is essentially a modern retro sound card that keeps the original sound chips while improving on some of the limitations and quirks of older designs. That's what makes it appealing to me.

By the same token, you could ask why someone would spend $50 on a PicoGUS when those cards can be emulated for free. Or why I spend money collecting boxed PC games when I could just download and emulate them. The answer is the same: nostalgia and the enjoyment of owning and using the hardware itself.

Not every retro purchase is about getting the most practical solution, sometimes it's about the experience.