I know this is not exactly what you described, but I just set up a bedroom system using the following with a Macbook:
Audioengine A5 powered bookshelf speaker ($450)
Beresford TC7520 DAC ($300)
Sanus Basic Foundation stands ($50)
A very nice system for the price. Not sure it would work in larger room but it's great in our 12x15 bedroom. I think it would be hard to beat at your budget. Definitely not junk.
Add decent cables and you're still under $1000. See links below. Hope this helps.
http://www.audioengineusa.com/a5_home.php
http://beresford-dac.com/
