Best 1,000 complete system for girlfriend ideas

NAD receiver (7100?), B&W 302 speakers, and splurge on a used Cal Labs ICon cd player, don't forget just above budget interconnects and speaker wires

have fun

I agree with the above...skip the seperates and buy an integrated, or a receiver (with remote). They're probably right. She may learn to appreciate the improved sound one day, but it will need to be convenient and sensibly set up for her to use it regularly. There are plenty of decent receivers out there...like NAD, HK, Onkyo, Yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, etc. They may not be "high-end", but they're all relatively well made and they won't cause your ears to bleed. The speakers are probably the most important as far as the sound goes, so you may want to present her with a few options and let her choose the ones that she prefers (based on sound and looks).

Buy an Integrated amp,you get more bang for you buck than seperates.
For 329.00 you can buy a brand new NAD T550 DVD-CD player from Upsacle Audio.
Your well on your way.

If you're worried about "matching the decor," remember that the Linn Classik is available in about 7 colors; also the B&W LM-1 Leisure Monitors are small, have their own little integral stands, and also come in various colors, including white so you can mount them on the wall (probably not acceptable).

Plan for the future...I get frightened at times at how good my bedroom stereo sounds. Denon receiver 1025R, Denon 1650AR CD player and B&W 805 Matrix III speakers. Used, this would probably run $1,500-$1,700 with interconnects. I know...out of range -- but that's the point. I'd do the electronics now, and an Ok set of speakers -- then in a year or so...do an upgrade on the speakers. Good luck!