Hey Jack,
I don't review CD players. Therefore, I can't comment on your question regarding either the Rega or Oppo CD players. However, I have written reviews on eight different DACs, a number of threads here on AudioGon contain information on these DACs, in different price ranges ($1000 to $14,000). My latest review, on the Audio Note UK 3.1 Balanced DAC, will be published at any minute now.
So, if you want information on stand alone DACs, not players, you will find the above mentioned reviews and threads helpful to you to see what you might want to go for. Regrading, a transport, if you can afford the cost, the Pro-Ject transport is a killer.