I find it interesting that so many posters are suggesting systems with a multitude of components and loudspeakers that need to be placed out in the listening room for proper functioning. Space is a luxury item for apartment dwellers and I doubt most will have a dedicated listening room. Along these lines an ideal 2 channel system would be streaming device and a pair of wireless/powered loudspeakers. Klipsch, Dynaudio, KEF, Paradigm and others make this type of loudspeaker. Paired with a music streaming service such a system could even eliminate the space needed for CD storage.
Alternatively, Magnepan's Mini Maggie system doesn't take up much space and someone earlier mentioned Gradient Revolutions as loudspeakers that operate very well placed right up against the rear wall. Either paired with a device like the AVM CD streaming receiver would be very satisfying. Steinway Lyngdorf's Model S system would require more components (2 amps and a digital processor), but are also designed for against wall performance.
Alternatively, Magnepan's Mini Maggie system doesn't take up much space and someone earlier mentioned Gradient Revolutions as loudspeakers that operate very well placed right up against the rear wall. Either paired with a device like the AVM CD streaming receiver would be very satisfying. Steinway Lyngdorf's Model S system would require more components (2 amps and a digital processor), but are also designed for against wall performance.