I don’t agree with this line of thought mainly because of course, my own experience. I have finally managed to take the upgrade journey to class A, fully balanced dual mono equipment from input to speakers.
I have found the equipment is most certainly not at fault as it is doing its job of reproducing most accurately the analog or digital input. Key words being input and speakers. The quality of the recording and the equipment used to capture and or even create the music play a large part in of themselves. The speakers play both sides of the equation, attempting to reproduce the most accurate input it receives but also a matter of preference since all of our individual hearing is as varied and as different as our opinions. I love what my system creates from the inputs I provide it, and I love how my speakers represent what the equipment is giving them. But it also shows the many flaws in the recordings and other input aspects I provide it. Thanks for letting me offer my opinion!