Integrated Amp for Girlfriend?

Guys, thanks for the suggestions - all good. I think the McIntosh may be a bit clunky for her taste (great product though). Yes, the Blue Circle won't have the remote - should be fine though. Yea, I have the Blue Circle BC2s and love them - that's a key reason I'm considering the CS - looks like a nice, tidy, femme-friendly package too.

Also, I do have the likes of Creek and Rega on my list of considerations - love the British mid level amps (also considering Musical Fidelity and Arcam) - they're all a bit 'boxy' though. I think she may appreciate something a bit more interesting looking (I know the sonics are the key, but I think she'd be looking for a good looking amp too). Yes, Audio Refinement would be another nice choice (I have the YBA CD1a from same designer, and love it - have a lot of respect for YBA's design philosophies). Am also considering the Jolida 302b - don't know much about it but got a nice offer on a new one, and it has that interesting tubey look.

She, like the rest of her department at work, are losing their jobs this week, so I want to perk her up with a good system (I have speakers and front end and cables I can give her, but need the nice amp to go with it). Cheers,
John.

Hi, thanks again for all the responses. I don't want to spend too much (rather upgrade my own system :-), so would rather spend in the $600 area. I'm still leaning toward the Blue Circle CS as I think she'll like that most and I'm already a happy Blue Circle owner. I think the CS retails for about $800, but I believe a 20% can be had direct from Blue Circle with shipping included if there's no dealer in one's area. Anyway, I'll think about it further. Speakers would be $300 infinity bookshelfs (can't remember the model # offhand). They should do the job. CD player, will, alas, be either a CD walkman or some cheap Sony DVD player (I know, almost sacrilege, but will get her started - I'm hoping the amp will be the first step toward long term upgrades for her).

Dekay, by the way, in reference to an older thread, I took your advice and got loads of IKEA Lack tables for my components - they work so well - I cut all but 3 inches off the legs. Thanks for this cost effective idea (so cheap, that the shipping cost more than the tables :-) Cheers,
John.

I've a correction on the CS price - Blue Circle told me the retail is $1195, and with discount would be $920 plus $25 for shipping, if there's no dealer in the area. So, looks a bit pricey. I've pulled out an old Harmon Kardon receiver (AV10) from my garage that I may give her to get her going ($200 on jewelery may work better as a gift than a $950 amp that she'll only half appreciate ;-)