CDC,
All systems, even the uber expensive ones, impart color of some type. Hi-end is all about determining what color you want and can live with long term. As to your 3 points:
1] A system will make a recording sound different than what it was monitored on...that may be better or worse to you
2] Yes, a system will consistently impart its unique color on whatever it plays
3]The best you can hope for is a system that colors your music the way your ears think it should be colored
All systems, even the uber expensive ones, impart color of some type. Hi-end is all about determining what color you want and can live with long term. As to your 3 points:
1] A system will make a recording sound different than what it was monitored on...that may be better or worse to you
2] Yes, a system will consistently impart its unique color on whatever it plays
3]The best you can hope for is a system that colors your music the way your ears think it should be colored