Budget Audiophile system under 2k

Anyone would be hard pressed to answer this question as the budget in my opinion would not come anywhere close to "audiophile ". That's not to say that the budget could not get something that sounds reasonably good. There are quite a few products on the market that make nice sounding equipment but even there it would be more than the amount stated. That's my 2 cents opinion.

What is your friend going to use for a source? Do you need to include source component(s) into the $2K price?

You haven’t given much to work with in terms of goals, sources etc.  But: The Outlaw receiver is good. A lot of people rave about the Elac stuff, but I’ve not heard them. Maybe consider vintage too. My posted vintage system, with an old 1970s McIntosh integrated, sounds better (warmer) than the Outlaw. I’ve got Focal bookshelf speakers in that system + 1970s turntable, and it sounds pretty nice and comes in under your budget.

I'd go with a refurbished receiver with XT32 RC as a prepro. I'm using a $750 Marantz SR6013 to great effect for HT and was impressed with the correction quality and jitter reduction. Add a used 2 channel Parasound class A/B  and $600-800 for used speakers. Budget cables. That's how I got started, and it sounds way better than new receiver and speakers for $2000.