FiiO e10k Olympus 2 (as DAC) + JDS Labs ATOM AMP sounding superior to Chord Mojo 2?

[ZENERGiA]

Hello Guys!

If someone could help me out, I would be very happy.

I use a Gaming PC as source, and I stream music through TIDAL in exclusive mode.

I use a FiiO e10k Olympus 2 as DAC and a JDS Labs ATOM AMP with an AKG K712 PRO at the moment. With this chain, the sound quality is really good and enjoyable to me, subjectively, it seems dynamic, punchy, fast, contrasty, airy, resolute with good timbre, and it is really musical, I can literally get lost in the music, and have emotional response, I literally cried when listening to some tracks. The sound of vocalists is frighteningly lifelike, I could go on and on, but the sound to me seem near excellent at least for the price.

In comparison, the Chord Mojo 2's (which is way more expensive and according to subjective reviews way better DAC than a FiiO e10k olympus 2) sound to me (subjectively) seem soft (I cannot describe it better, and not nearly as lifelike, as with the other "audio chain"). I lack any connection to the music while listening through this "audio chain" it literally is not enjoyable to me.

Now I know I would have to do a volume matched, blind ABX test, to realize, there should not be any difference...but subjectively, the difference is really apparent to me, and (here's the catch) I like the way cheaper chain a LOT more.

Is there any scientific explanation as to why I feel like this? The Mojo 2 should be way superior, than an e10k olympus 2 + ATOM amp.

This is NOT a troll post.

Thank you in advance!

 

[RandomEar]

Now I know I would have to do a volume matched, blind ABX test, to realize, there should not be any difference...

Yes you should

but subjectively, the difference is really apparent to me, and (here's the catch) I like the way cheaper chain a LOT more.

Subjective outcomes are essentially a coin flip.

Is there any scientific explanation as to why I feel like this? The Mojo 2 should be way superior, than an e10k olympus 2 + ATOM amp.

This is NOT a troll post.

Thank you in advance!

The Mojo 2 looks good measurement-wise. The only catch I see is that SINAD drops off a cliff past 4.3 V, likely due to clipping. However, at 64 Ω that would equal 288 mW and would already exceed the nominal power limit of your K712 Pros. So I don't think you will reach those levels during normal listening.

Maybe there is some poorly documented treble roll off filter available in the Mojo, like it exists in other CHORD products? You could check the manual.

Apart from that, there is no reason the Mojo 2 should sound superior to other well measuring headphone amps. Being expensive is not a quality in itself.