I think I've settled on always taking at least one (or a Void Spinner, or some Phoenix Bombers, if I can ever be convinced that those are worth it over two Vampires). Having a barrage weapon on the table does amazing things to your opponent. I know that our Tau player hates that everyone can simply pile in base-to-base against him, and I'd rather that people not do that against me.
It's hard to really figure out what the Spinners are worth. I know that I'd pay more for them, but I also think that there are other, more effective choices for the points. However, they strike me as almost necessary in order to force the enemy to spread out a bit. It's a bit like the 40k Wave Serpent - obviously overpriced, but absolutely necessary if you want to use Banshees, Wraithguard, Storm Guardians, Dire Avengers, or Fire Dragons (though Falcons work for these last).
As I've commented elsewhere, I think the lack of Void Spinners more than makes up for Ulthwe's SR5 - I remember absolutely devastating the Guard with a 1st turn Void Spinner barrage as Biel-tan, and they do awful things to Hammerhead cadres too. If I were going for an optimal army, and if I didn't hate Aspects so much, I'd be playing my current list, with Void Spinners instead of Night Spinners and whatever Aspects I could afford instead of one of the Guardians (so I can get the Autarch).
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