Low budget, just for fun

i like your <$200 idea--it's no-brainer to put together a viable system for $2000, or $5000, but much more challenging to do it for a pittance. anyway, my thoughts at large:
1. because of shipping costs, you're probably locked into craigslist for receiver/speakers.
2. unless you need a remote, i'd opt for a vintage receiver, maybe something like a modestly powered yamaha or pioneer --much more aesthetic than the bps you could find in your budget. figure $80 or so. if your girl needs a modern, remote-controlled receiver, something like a harman 3300 or onkyo 8511/8211 are better than the norm.
3. older non-hdmi dvd players are really cheap--i've picked up well-built integra players on ebay for $15 + shipping; pioneer is also very reliable and cheap. eventually you could upgrade with a dac.
4. lots of good speakers in the world, and lots of ways you could go. in general, i think canton, energy and phase tech are well-made and undervalued; you might find a worthwhile, older ads or acoustic research model on the cheap. it might help if you do a cl scan and float some possibilities on this forum.
good luck.

L, she'd probably be happier with this......

Tpreaves, that's a bad value even at < $200.

Lol Tpreaves, have you been talking to her, because you're exactly right. Problem is, I can't go proposing to any girl without a stereo, now could I? In all actuality, I got her some cd's and the only way she can listen to them currently is through her tv speakers so I was going to get her some little boombox, but then figured for an extra $100 I could get her something decent. By the way, her last radio got sucked up by the f5 joplin tornado.