'72 here.
I understand this is an emulator thread but when I am NOT emulating I am playing on real hardware with loader carts - Harmony cart, Krikzz carts, LTO Flash, etc - on a Sony CRT I found on Craigslist. (Most people say they found them for free but around here no one gives anything away... I paid $20 and it was well worth it.)
As for emulators the only reason I use RetroArch is when I am forced to. RetroPie makes RetroArch easy so it is the one I use for the most part on my 3B+. On any PC I use standalone emulators such as FCEUX, Stella and ePSXe. They are what I have always used and what I am used to so I know how to make them do what I want. This is the whole point anyway isn't it?
I'm old so I'm getting crotchety and "I like what I like damn it!" ???