What you are after in "c" is not entirely clear, possibly because of how you have worded "c". I hope the following will help your understanding related to "c":
99% of the time CDs are "ripped" (thereby producing digital audio files from the tracks on the CD) by using the CD drive in a computer in conjunction with software, such as dBpoweramp, that's installed on that computer. It's only in the last few years that some hardware devices geared to audiophiles have come on the market which, while not being computers per se, do incorporate the ability to "rip" digital audio files from audio CDs, store and organize those files, and also play back the files. Naim Audio offers an entire product line of such devices. Their website is informative.
However, I suspect that all the Naim devices, as well as all the other comparable devices that are now on the market from other companies, are priced above $1,500. To stay in your price range, I doubt you'll get all the features you want in a single device -- but you can get close.
Sony is just bringing to market this month two devices (HAP-S1/B priced at $1,000 and HAP-Z1ES priced at $2,000) that look quite interesting. Other than the CD ripping part, I think they do pretty much everything else that you are looking for. The Oppo 105 at $1,200 is another excellent option in your price range provided you have a computer to do the CD ripping part and can store your resultant digital audio files either on that computer or on an external USB harddrive.
99% of the time CDs are "ripped" (thereby producing digital audio files from the tracks on the CD) by using the CD drive in a computer in conjunction with software, such as dBpoweramp, that's installed on that computer. It's only in the last few years that some hardware devices geared to audiophiles have come on the market which, while not being computers per se, do incorporate the ability to "rip" digital audio files from audio CDs, store and organize those files, and also play back the files. Naim Audio offers an entire product line of such devices. Their website is informative.
However, I suspect that all the Naim devices, as well as all the other comparable devices that are now on the market from other companies, are priced above $1,500. To stay in your price range, I doubt you'll get all the features you want in a single device -- but you can get close.
Sony is just bringing to market this month two devices (HAP-S1/B priced at $1,000 and HAP-Z1ES priced at $2,000) that look quite interesting. Other than the CD ripping part, I think they do pretty much everything else that you are looking for. The Oppo 105 at $1,200 is another excellent option in your price range provided you have a computer to do the CD ripping part and can store your resultant digital audio files either on that computer or on an external USB harddrive.