That is true- this is a good callout. You’re brain does a lot to convince you of the difference when you know the source of what you’re hearing.

But there are always exceptions. As someone that worked as a recording engineer for 7 years, and spent time intentionally training my ears with blind tests, I can tell you that there is a definite aural difference between a real tube guitar amp and a modeling amp. Other recording engineers I assisted could hear it too.