Go get out your pitchforks, I’ve done a sacrilegious thing. . .

My 2 cents on readjusting the EQ for different recordings - I've had little luck with that. I consider that a good thing. When I get the system response correct pretty much everything sounds better. 

Why would one have desire to add eq to system if not needed, no inherent requirement audio systems have to have extra eq applied via dedicated eq. Therefore, eq would only be effective purchase for me if eq applied to each recording.

If adding eq for system balance, something in system not meeting your sound preferences. One can achieve system balance through various means, I prefer not doing this through add ons. I associate add ons as band aids, this being the need to repair something upstream or downstream of equalizer.

I suppose if I did have need of eq, I'd be far more likely to apply dsp via something like HQPlayer, rather have it in software vs hardware.

I get it. You don’t like EQ’s. Not sure that’s relevant. 

Sacrilege would be saying most tube amplifiers are nothing but glorified equalizers. Did I say that out loud? I did, didn't I. It has already passed through any number of analog and digital equalizers, most with cheap by phile standard electronics before it got to you. I would not worry too much about one more. If you are listening to music in a room, you already have the most nasty, colorful, distorted equalizer one can buy, namely your speaker in your room. Worst necessary evil in all of audio. Anyone who shuns an equalizer must plug the speaker cables right into their head. Use that equalizer and use it proudly. It is probably doing far more good than bad.  I equalize. I would be a fool not to. Fixes things that can't be fixed any other way.

You pays your money, you chooses your distortions.

I had an equalizer some 40 years ago and couldn't believe the sound improvement when I unplugged it. I am sure they have gotten better over the years, and if you like the way it makes your system sound in your room, more power to you.