After reading this thread and looking up the candidates, it's easy to see why Schiit products are appealing. What I find missing though is any discussion or comparison of sound quality and character. In my book sound quality matters and takes precedent.
One post remarked that the Freya was not good because it did not have the headphone section (???) that a few other Schiit models have. It is unclear what he/she meant. Aren't those small openings in the faceplate for phones?