Killer Kitchen System under $800 or so?

Maybe not ideal or what you are looking for but my kitchen system sounds incredible and especially considering what it cost.

The speakers are Insignia NS-B21111 Bookshelf Speakers from Best Buy. I paid $35 for them 2 years ago. The amp is a Lepai Tripath Amp from Parts Express. It's 20wpc and it's cost was $19.95. My sources include my Ipod or a DVD Player from Best Buy called Dynex DX-DVD2. Cost: $29. I'm also using an old Audio Alchemy Dac-n-The Box and I don't remember what it cost when it was new, well over 10 years ago. The cables are whatever I had laying around, including a pair of Nordost Blue Heaven Interconnects and home made speaker cables.
This is far less money that you are prepared to spend but it certainly sounds great. The amp/speaker combo is perfect. I have 3 high end systems in my home with brands including Magnepan, Vandersteen, ARC, Quicksilver, Audible Illusions,Benchmark,Basis, LessLoss, Shunyata,Bryston, Snell,Counterpoint, etc. In other words I have good sound elsewhere in my home and this cheap little kitchen system is a marvel to listen to as well.

Used Creek integrated, Squeezebox Touch, old KEF Q10 speakers. I just helped (advised) a friend put together that exact system for well under $800 and it is amazing.

I am about to buy Audioengine myself for the computer which happens to be in a small kitchen. Just can't decide whether to buy smaller A2 or bigger and better A5. Price difference is really insignificant but I may actually get the smaller ones because I could take them with me wherever I go and use them with computer or ipod. They are also multivoltage.
Never heard them but with 30 days return policy and easy shipping that's not a problem.

I chose mAudio powered monitors for Sonos in my kitchen. IIRC, +/- $400 for the Sonos zp and $200 for the powered mAudios. Just fine for the application. Not gonna make me sell the Ohms, Merlins, Verities, etc., but just fine for the job (and the $).

Good Luck,

Marty