Sony xa777 player question

"I heard this player doesn't detect sacd or cd players automatically, you have to select it?"

Yeah, you have to tell "it" what it is.

"Also, does this have an analogue sound on redbook cds?"

Neither, SACD or CD

"How does this compare to say a dvd player transport and $1000 dac? I listen to classical music?"

Benchmark DAC with decent transport will do.

Regards,
Alex