Quality system, make poor recordings sound better?


I notice that as I move up the audio chain, poor CD recordings sound worse and the good ones sound superb, should this be the case? Also I on any given day my system sounds different even with the same CDs. Any thoughts on this as well?
phd
Home audio is the only place where the amateurs believe they know what works better than the pros. Go figure.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/ambackissues/atc.htm

read this review and take note of the last paragraph about less than stellar recordings sounding great
IMO, the ultimate goal is to find a combination of components that allows one to enjoy as many discs as possible, price be damned. Those of us who have been in this hobby long enough know this!
Most of my music I listen to these days is from early and second half of last century so you would say why to use high end system for it? but let me tell you that only the best system will allow you to really appreciate the music which was archived then for us......