I don't know...

I see it sort of like buying a car when you're a new driver.

If you get a super high performance car, then you have to deal with a vehicle you have trouble getting to perform up to potential, and this may become a worry. As well, your mistakes with oversteering, stalling, etc., will be transmitted directly from you to the outside world...

BUT, if you get a car that's got some wear on it, or even one built to be reliable and dependable over 'best in the world', you may find that your mistakes are more easily correctable... that you don't dedicate your mind to "I need to move faster, because that's what this is designed for"...

I'd say the same for instruments. I am VERY happy to have learned how to play tinwhistle on a POS plastic tipped monstrosity that cost me $5 - I'd heard about second and third registers, but that poor whistle sure hadn't. As such, I concentrated on making what I had work as well as I could... and then I finally got my first 'real' Clarke, and found I could do much more than I thought I could. I still don't really know a third register, but that's why I'm getting closer to them "Fur-are-ee" type whistles...

For an established musician? I'd agree it's being suited for what you play. For a learner? I'd have to say that unless you've got a damn good teacher, then yes. It is possible to get an instrument that's too good.

M