You don't mention whether you already have a dac?
Based on the recent group test in hifi choice, where the Rega Dac-R came out on top, I would get a demo of this dac, either partnered by the rega cd-r (both half case width so fitting nicely side by side and maybe you could get a discount for buying them together), or with a cheaper cdp used as a transport feeding digitally into the Rega Dac-R.