Hot levels are here to stay, it's about making them sound good. I was anti-clipping for a long time and no one said my levels were too low. Then one day I clipped accidentally and it sounded very good compared to every other option at those levels. Now I just listen, clip as needed, and never have too much trouble with hot levels that also work well musically. It's all about the AD and how it handles things, as was said.
Clipping at tracking or mixing? Don't do it.
