Well, you gave it a shot. You'll find your dream setup in due time, that's for sure.
A couple of things. I rarely get flooding, it's just a matter of learning how to blind squonk until it becomes second nature.
Your point about changing flavors, yes, very valid. Most of us end up with a couple of REOs, and changing flavors is, unless they are similar, a chore. The price, well, how many tube mods made in X place which are essentially a tube and a switch are not $200+? People still buy them, I'd too if I find them worth it. For a near indestructible pocket friendly unit, I find the price fitting. The point about voltage drop will remain valid until the sub ohm kit comes out which should, according to the tests that Rob has done, make it a top dog regarding conductivity. To run bigger RDAs you do need either a 510-510 adapter or milled down REO, other than that you can run attys like the yk1, IGO-S, Hornet, Cyclone, etc. in it no probs (some of them are sealed so you'd have to mod them for BF)
I do have other gear that I use, but the REO is just one of the top dogs all around.