Best $500 System?

gammajo,

I would caution you that most DVD players do not have remote controllable variable volume. If you use a DVD player, or cd player, that do not have remote controllable variable volume, you will have to set the volume using the gain control knob on each of the individual active speakers. The beauty of the Oppos is that they do have remote controllable variable volume. 

Good luck in whatever your friend chooses.........

Yes I have an Oppo 105 and understand. I found an old Blue Ray Player that I am not using (replaced it with the Oppo) hooked it up to my computer speakers which have a volume control, control both left right - and it plays fine except that the speakers are of poor quality - now just need to find some good self powered speakers

I have this as my desktop system:

source: iPhone or MacPro or PC with an Audioquest Black (new version) microDAC 
https://www.wifihifi.ca/LatestNewsHeadlines/Hands-OnReview:AudioQuestDragonFlyBlack1.5/Red.html


into active speakers KANTO YU-6 or YU-5
note; these have a killer Bluetooth operations option if she has placement or access issues.

https://www.wifihifistore.com/news/2017/2/4/kanto-yu6-and-yu4-powered-speakers

These KANTO active speakers are real audio Goliath slayers with a further option of a direct subwoofer output and they also have a phono preamp built-in .
https://www.wifihifistore.com

The older model YU-5s are cheaper if the TT features are a no-go and they have an auxiliary

http://www.kantoliving.com/product/yu5/

https://9to5mac.com/2016/07/05/review-kanto-yu5-powered-bookshelf-speakers-bluetooth/

Google the stellar reviews and YouTube reviews.
E.g https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pkp0Gha66U

Now with the ONKYO HF hi-Rez audio player app (a cheap download ) she can play digital,streaming on TIDAL or downloaded digital at 24 bit/ 96khz FLAC hi-Rez quality. The CD quality 16bit/44.1khz rips also sound fabulous 

FWIW...

you can do better than a boom box

best bargain will be to look around a college campus as students leave for the summer

2nd best is to find a used stereo dealer in your town

for new, I'd look for a Marantz receiver (or Yamaha) and some small speakers along the lines of the old LS3/5a - Epos and many others make them - you will sacrifice bass to get a good smooth mid-range

Denon also makes good CD players

Next level up is brands like Oppo, Cambridge, etc.

I like the powered monitors and CD with variable output. KISS it. Active Quad 11l/12l (best as nearfield, but great all-round), Tannoy Revolution, etc.

I'm impressed with the JBL 4208 (and 4206) as an inexpensive pair of used speakers (not active) if you buy an amp. For a sweet top end, try some older Mission speakers. Heck, $100-200 can buy a lot of speaker for the money. I have a high end system, but finding the best "bang for the buck" is always a blast.