less about the files, more about the audio equipment in between

Well ot is very easy to figure that out using the Null method.

You have the original recording (A) and play through whatever chain recording it at the end, resulting in recording (B).

You now place A and B into seperate tracks of the DAW of your choice and align them in time. You flip the polarity on B and adjust the levels till the output level is minimized (to account for level changes in your playback/recording chain).

The mixed signal is the difference. If it is imperceptibly silent, the difference is in fact imperceptable.

And with this simple method you can demask a metric ton of bullshit, like differences in wire materials or capacitors materials.

Small addition: you can also run the signal through a different chain C and then compare B and C. And since they ran through the same DAC, output filters, output connectors, input connectors, preamp and ADC, aside from noise the only measuable (relevant for human ears) difference should be the chain inbetween. This allows you to compare any magical device against a simple conductor.

So next time someone tries to sell you chemicalliy pure copper with zero oxygen handbraided by virgins for a thousand bucks test it that way against a cheap pro audio cable, then turn your system up to the loudest listening volume you usually use and litterally listen to the difference. It will unsurprisingly be the sound of silence, your own personal 4'33".

Bonus point for using an double-blind ABX process where you and potential others don't know whether you're listening to the expensive or the cheap gear. Turns out often anything short of that won't stop you from wanting to fool yourself, or others from influencing you, which is a big part of the audiophile schtick and the reason why even otherwise pretty smart people are routinely fooled by this.

I run $100 speakers and some airpods, but this was a good read!