One Less Bose Wave Radio in the World

I was pleased when a reasonably rich friend of mine who studied physics, likes good things and is generally well educated on most matters told me that he wanted my help buying a "stereo".

The conversation got a little less interesting when he told me he wanted to "spend no more than $2K" given that $2k is certainly less than his monthly, if not weekly, dinner allowance. But things took a real turn for the worse when he told me that a) he wants it to dock with his iPod and b) preferably have the whole thing in one piece?!

So if I can get him to be flexible on the one piece requirement, could we build an iPod based, Bose Wave radio killing system along the following lines:

* Wadia iPod docking station?
* Cheap as dirt external DAC?
* Cables by Signal Cable?
* Berhinger A500 amplifier(s)(has volume controls)
* Epos or other competent mini monitor?

Hard to believe even that would add up to about $1500 bucks or so and his wife might not approve of more than one box....but wondering how a normal person might react to such a system, when used with their iPod.

What would you suggest in this case?