Help me put a system together for under $1k.

A new kit, the Swifty, which I've never heard, might be a good start. http://www.madisound.com/pdf/Swifty.pdf

With a precut cabinet kit you'll be well within budget and the Vifa drivers are a proven item as witnessed by how many speaker manafacturers use them.

Wagzel, great suggestion on the drivers/cabinets! Might be a fun project to build speakers together with my son. I don't think they will sound that much worse than the entry level bookshelf speakers we are considering. Timf, my current system consists of Mcintosh 501 monoblocks, MCD201 CD player, Dynaudio speakers and in progress of upgrading/choosing the preamp. The various components that came and went were BAT, various Audio Research gear, Rogue Audio, Cary, Audible Illusions, Mark Levinson, AE DJH, McCormack, Bryston and Martin Logan/Totem/Soliloquy/Proac/Magnepan speakers. I have stopped "fidgeting" around since acquiring the Mcintosh gear, as I find it ultimately to my liking and preference. My family really enjoys the "Mac" sound as well. Trying to duplicate my main system will be difficult but were shooting for "similar sound" on a budget.

I recently purchased the CA 640A for a second system, after having such great success with their 540D DVD player. I was originally going to go with the Audio Refinement Complete integrated after hearing it a few years back in a Complete CD and PSB Stratos Monitor combo (now that was one sweet sounding budget system!). However, during Christmas, Audio Advisor was offering the 640A for under $400 bones, needless to say I pounced:) (just cked it's on sale again for $369) One note to remember, run-in time is a MAJOR consideration for this little amp. I replaced a nice but aging Carver amp/preamp combo and just about drop kicked the bloomin thing out the door after initial impressions. I held off because some amps can be like that, but after about 70 hours or so, it was like listening to a completely different machine. Bottom line...considering the modest investment, I am really quite pleased with it. Happy Hunting...

Far be it from me to make any suggestions on parenting, but when I wanted my first "stereo" ($400 box system when I was 10) my father said that he would match me dollar-for-dollar on any stereo I wanted. I scrimped and saved and did lots of token chores to earn the $200. The stereo sucked but I used it for the next six years or so and enjoyed countless hours of music. In fact my mom still uses it though only one channel works.

I still work my butt off to buy new toys (and pay bills).

Bignerd100, with all due respect, if I wanted that kind of advise, I would be asking for help on parenting.com not adiogon.com. My kid pays his dues with straight A's in school not chores, that's the direction I am pushing him in. There will be plenty of time for him to work his butt off for the rest of his life, hopefully he will be getting paid handsomely through power of higher education. That's what my parents did for me and so shall I do for mine. Now back to topic....