Like I wrote in another thread, it all depends on what you are after: if you are a control freak (you know, one of those guys who double check everything), then your choice will be drum kits (the bigger the better).
If, on the other hand, you are after authenticity, nothing in my opinion beats a sampled loop.
Frankly, I am surprised that someone who always writes about the difference between playing alone (or with an arranger) and playing with a band, with all the interplay that goes on and the magic and so on fails to grasp the difference between recording a drummer who hits a snare maybe fifty times, each time with different strength, angle, and whatnot and the same drummer who begins to play a groove and then slowly closes his eyes as he drifts into the "zone" and his drumming changes little by little... if you press the "Rec" button then, what do you think you will capture? Just a series of drum hits or something entirely different?

As a reference, please watch this YouTube video where Mr. Steve Gadd plays a simple pop tune; nothing fancy or pyrotechnical: just a great drummer grooving away.