Digital seperates, better than single player?

It is hard to say which is better. There are great separates and stand alone players. Separates are useful because you can upgrade a system for less than buying a whole new player, by just replacing the electronics (DAC).
Separates have the potential is be better, because you can mix and match transports and DACs separately. The issolation of the digital electronics from the CD mechanism also helps in many cases.

Not always. Listen before you buy!!!

Good luck.

MMoe- Unless you're considering extreme separates, I'd strongly recommend that you stay with a single player unit. The recent crop of CD players (Electrocompaniet, Audio Aero ...) are truly outstanding, and will compete directly with everything except the most extreme separates. I've had the Electrocompaniet (with upgrade) in my system. Yes, I preferred my Goldmund separates in my system. However, the difference wasn't anywhere close to the 5 X cost. Unless you're planning on spending 20K-50K on separates, save your money and audition the EMC or Audio Aero or .... on a great platform (Sistrum, Mana, etc...) and with excellent power cords (FIM, Sonoran, etc...). Just my .02