which is your favorite inexpensive stereo system?

I had a Denon mini system.
Sounded awesome really.
Comes with a sub woofer connection too.

Thank you guys!
All your options sounds great.
I'll try to make him go to a dealer to listen the different setups that you mentioned.
Thanks for your input..... at least now I can give him some recommendations! ;)

Go to Audio Advisor website and take advantage of clearance (if they have any left) of Cambridge Audio 540A or 640A amp and matching CD player, or if friend wants FM, the NAD C-720BEE Stereo Receiver. Many good bargain priced speakers available from NHT, PSB, Paradigm, Polk, etc.. With all due respect to some of the previous recommendations in this thread, some are fairly esoteric, and my guess is that if your friend is not an audiophile, he (or she) will prefer a solid, reliable, fine-sounding piece like the NAD or Cambridge to a tube amp.

I agree with Bob, again. Another example would be a new NHT M-00 and a S-20 and NHT PVC for $900 and then add a CD player - surely your friend has a CD player already? If not there are many decent CD players that you could pick up used or on sale for another $100.

The S-20 features a 200-watt RMS built-in amplifier incorporating low and high-pass filters and a foot-switch for bypass. Its driver is a long-throw treated-paper eight-inch woofer providing output down to 33Hz.

The M-00 has 75 watt built in amp. You would be amazed at what this small setup can do.

Used Arcam Solo Mini ($650), Mission 72M speakers ($200), the balance for speaker cables, stands, Reflect FM antenna and microbrew. Solo Mini sounds noticably better with the hood up. Remove the casing and it's more open sounding. Weird, huh?