Good Budget CD and integrated????

I own an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp and a Music Hall CD-25 player with upgraded opamps. The combination is very, very nice and could be had used for less than your budget.

Another alternative I can recommend from personal experience would be a Rotel integrated, like an RA-1050, RA-1060 or RA-02 with a Rotel CD player like the RCD-1070, RCD-1072 or RCD-02. In my experience both Rotel and NAD are a little better built than Cambridge Audio and my preference is for the Rotel equipment but any of those three will be a good start for your friend.

The Linn Classik would also be a very nice solution in that price range. I've helped two different friends buy one and both have been absolutely thrilled with theirs. It's a very high-quality piece of equipment that will last for years.

Onix SP3 and XCD-99.

You could also look at Cambridge Audio. Their new line of cd spinners are in your price range. If you combine the Integrated amp with the cd player from the same place of purchase they should give you a bit of a deal.....worth trying for. All the brands listed give you good value....have fun and let your ears decide....good listening.

great suggestions everyone. I begin the listening tomorrow. I am in Hong Kong at the moment so among some of the used shops there can be an interesting sellection. I will report back what we find.....hopefully some good older gear perhaps.
Cheers!
S

I would 2nd the Rotel recommendation. I first started in this hobby with the Paradigm Reference line and Rotel equipment. Thought they worked quite well with one another. The RA-1062/RCD-1072 combo has received universal praise and would be well under your stated budget.