What system would you gift someone for the appreciation of high fidelity sound?

No answers, but a few questions that may narrow down your search. Are looks important--if so, is modern or traditional preferred? Will you have free reign to place the speakers and set up the listening area? And do they have any listening preferences (crave bass, or maybe are easily fatigued)?

jond- great choices!
gnostalgick - the scenario is all your choice. I meet people who have never heard a quality stereo setup. Just thought it would be nice to set this up for someone worthy.. why not?

No reason not to; I've thought about it myself (though no one I know seems interested).

But... I've seen/heard rather good floorstanders pushed against walls/into corners and not sound very good at all--regardless of price.  Also some speakers are more or less forgiving about being in that one perfect sweet spot, which seems important if one is not already inclined to just sit and listen. 

That out of the way, I've heard LS50s, a Primaluna Prologue, and a Rega Planar 3(?) sound pretty amazing in nearfield, but I know many that would prefer a bit more bass.

Current personal tastes would suggest a Chord Dac/Croft integrated/ProAc speakers. (Haven't invested/experimented enough with analog to have an informed reccomendation.)

Used Technics SL1200 table in very good condition
Nagaoka MP110 cartridge/Ortofon Headshell
Shiit Phono Preamp
NAD 326 BEE integrated
NAD 316 CDP
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers
Blue Jeans, Pangea or AudioQuest interconnects and speaker cables

Speakers: Elac Uni-Fi UB5s 
Subwoofer: Rythmik L12
Integrated: Elac Element EA101EQ
Source: Bluesound Node 2