This is not surprising. Any particular collection of gear may not impress initially. This is nothing to worry about; it just means you need to make some adjustments and that may yield your preferred result. Putting a new source into a rig is essentially making a brand new rig, so the presumption of excellence is not realized in many instances and adjustments necessary regardless of pedigree.
Do some changeup on cabling with different brands (nothing against AQ; it's a good cable) before swapping out components. Try different USB cable and or interconnects from source. Sometimes only a few swaps, i.e. power cords, can make a substantive difference to bring satisfaction. If, however, a few cabling substitutions are not enough to save the setup, then you're looking at component changes. Do changes not only on source, but other components as well. Rigs can go from blah to beautiful through cables placed well. Never presume that the cables currently being used are universally superior. Having worked with dozens of sets of cables including AQ, I assure you there is a tremendous degree of variance in outcome through testing a variety of cables. With a system of your caliber you should hear the effect of changing even one power cord on source, pre, etc. If the move is favorable, then you can keep working in that direction. It's a less expensive, and potentially as effective way to get to the sound you want. Expect that you may have to try five to ten discrete changes to capture excellence.
Now, if you don't want to do that, feel free in guessing at your next component. :)
Also, if you haven't yet, try the source without running it through the power conditioner; you may find a superior/more favorable result in removing one or two components from the conditioner. However, you do so at your own risk of lightning strike or power surge.
I have no interest in arguing/debating my recommendations.
Do some changeup on cabling with different brands (nothing against AQ; it's a good cable) before swapping out components. Try different USB cable and or interconnects from source. Sometimes only a few swaps, i.e. power cords, can make a substantive difference to bring satisfaction. If, however, a few cabling substitutions are not enough to save the setup, then you're looking at component changes. Do changes not only on source, but other components as well. Rigs can go from blah to beautiful through cables placed well. Never presume that the cables currently being used are universally superior. Having worked with dozens of sets of cables including AQ, I assure you there is a tremendous degree of variance in outcome through testing a variety of cables. With a system of your caliber you should hear the effect of changing even one power cord on source, pre, etc. If the move is favorable, then you can keep working in that direction. It's a less expensive, and potentially as effective way to get to the sound you want. Expect that you may have to try five to ten discrete changes to capture excellence.
Now, if you don't want to do that, feel free in guessing at your next component. :)
Also, if you haven't yet, try the source without running it through the power conditioner; you may find a superior/more favorable result in removing one or two components from the conditioner. However, you do so at your own risk of lightning strike or power surge.
I have no interest in arguing/debating my recommendations.