If you are looking for something in this price range, you might be interested in the Liquid Spark. It's currently on sale it seems. I had it for a couple of years without any issues. Sounds great, and handled pretty much everything I threw at it.

Yes the Atom Amp is perfect

I get not wanting to stick with Schiit, but it seems to me (both first hand experience, and anecdotal online) that their next level up gear is much more reliable. I have been using as Asgard 2 and Valhalla 2 for several years now, and really can't think of seeing any reports of them dying (not that I've gone looking for them). They also get a 5 year warranty at that level.

If you want to go a different route, the Fiio K5 And K7 are both well regarded, and I liked both quite a bit. JDS is very good and has excellent support, I've never had an Atom, but had a OG El Stack.

Topping seems to have as many issues reported as Schiit and I haven't heard much of their newer stuff, but I didn't think their older stuff (original d30 and a30 and an nx4) sounded all that good.

Why are people still buying Schiit stuff? This happens all the time.

Yes get the Atom, or if you want to spend money and have a nice knob get the element, or get a Grace m900 (Fuc*ing delightful), or a Topping DX3 Pro (if you want simple, single box on the $200 tier).

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