Just bought my niece a system on eBay for under $500 that consists of: Kyocera DA-610 CD player, Kyocera R-451 tuner/amp (actually a receiver but they call it a "tuner/amp"), small Mirage monitors on Target stands, Speltz anticables, and Mapleshade Golden Helix speaker cables. This system is really beautiful looking (I used to own Kyocera stuff back in the 80's and have always loved it) and sounds amazing, esp considering the CD player cost me $34 and the receiver $65.
Vacation Home System
I want to add a 2-channel audio system for my summer home. I listen mostly to jazz and acoustic music. I do like "to rock out" once in a while too. The challenge is that I have a budget of around $1000. Wall mounts may work as well as floor standers. I am not opposed to used or mail order. I just want something decent but another "me too" system from some mass merchandise store. Thanks in advance!