This is a great thread - I had the same questions and this thread is very informative. It seemed to me, that for my ear, with each bump up in resolution or detail due to better components, the tone or frequency shifted slightly upwards, making the entire presentation seem a tad bit brighter. Not necessary annoy bright, but just a different presentation due to the added details. I am probably far down the wrong path, but for example, for a bass note that might be at 100 hz, but with more detail, the extra detailed vibration of a string, I might be picking up 200 hz tone on top of the 100 hz, or a higher order harmonic. The 200 hz signal with the underlying 100 hz tone might then give the perception of a higher tone or frequency, although the added detail or more realistic sound and welcome. Anyway, just thinking out loud.
