I would not get a separate DAC - in that price range with a cheap transport I don't think you win.
Consider stretching your budget and look over CD players on Agon right now by: Exposure, Modwright Sony, Opera Consonance, Cayin SCD-50T, Quad, maybe Jolida JD100a, Rega Jupiter and Roxsan. Or as you suggest a Rega Apollo or maybe Cambridge 840C if you can find one used. These will wipe the floor with a VDAC or similar based system IMHO.
If you want the flexibility of a DAC, you might wait till you can afford the next level up, Musical Fidelity M1 or Rega DAC or similar, but don't uderestimate the importance of a good transport = > $$ to get same sound as some of these players listed above.
Consider stretching your budget and look over CD players on Agon right now by: Exposure, Modwright Sony, Opera Consonance, Cayin SCD-50T, Quad, maybe Jolida JD100a, Rega Jupiter and Roxsan. Or as you suggest a Rega Apollo or maybe Cambridge 840C if you can find one used. These will wipe the floor with a VDAC or similar based system IMHO.
If you want the flexibility of a DAC, you might wait till you can afford the next level up, Musical Fidelity M1 or Rega DAC or similar, but don't uderestimate the importance of a good transport = > $$ to get same sound as some of these players listed above.