Betting this is an anomaly, a one-off. My second system is Peachtree integrated (with DAC) running ancient Henry Kloss Model Six bookshelves on stands, plus cheap Wharfedale subs. That system, in a smaller 18' x 12' room, is used only for a huge old library of rare cuts, a good FM tuner, and during main rig component replacements. The Model Sixes were just the ticket back in ancient times, and mine were eventually paired with a high-end amp. Only after replacement with Wharfedale towers, 10 years ago, did I realize how badly the amp's capability had been going to waste. So let's just say nothing in my experience confirms the phenomenon of a great amp turning budget speakers into magic-makers. Like other posters, I'm in the "must be other variables" camp.
Interesting situation! Do we need this....
I had a very interesting and unsettling experience that brings this hobby all together...or rips it apart. Recently, I bought a pair of Fluence SX6 speakers, on sale at Amazon for $120 pair. A small, black, two way bookshelf speaker. Highly-positively reviewed. My plan was to pull the drivers to use in another project. I couldn't buy drivers and crossovers like this for $120(More on this later)...Anyways, I was listening to my new kit amplifier, AKITIKA Z4 that I recently built...Streaming Quobuz...The Fluance speakers were set up next to the KEF LS50 Metas as I had used them previously to test yet another kit amplifier, Nelson Pass' ACA Mini.....For six hours I was simply amazed at how great the AKITIKA kit amp sounded. Massive sound stage, tight, well defined bass, some of the best vocals I've heard, the "AIR" around jazz instruments was fantastic!.....a system to behold...playing through my KEF LS50 Metas....Six hours later, after all types of music, it was time to call it a night (or early morning)....As I go to shut down the system, I realize that all night I was listening to the Fluance speakers!!! They were placed side by side with the KEFs. Do we really need any of this high end equipment to really enjoy the music!