Need advice: best mini HiFi system on the market?

I'd say don't get a mini-system. You will compromise sound. But if you must, I imagine this sounds decent.

How much do you want to spend?

Linn systems are generally considered some of the best minisystems-- they will cost you an arm and a leg though.

Sony makes great systems. Anything in the MHC series is worth the money. I would also look at high-end kenwood or Aiwa

Teac and Denon have a reputation for micro-systems which approach the quality of separates (well, they really *are* separates, just small, cute and silver). You're right in suspecting that bundled speakers are generally quite poor; the electronics are usually fine and will drive better speakers (a bit tricky if it's one of those systems where the amplification is *in* one of the speaker cabinets).

Sony are pretty good in this domain too. The system Mark linked to above looks interesting, but I personally have an aversion to sub/sat speaker-systems like the one depicted. A bit Boseian.

"How much do you want to spend?"

Honestly I've no idea what a system could cost, It's been a while since I last checked a dedicated magazine... Let's say maximum 300 $... What do I get for that amount? :-)

If I had $300 (or rather 200 quid) to spend, I'd trawl around second- hand and charity shops and assemble a nice system of separates, spending the (probably considerable) change on CDs. (Actually, I'd nip down to Richer Sounds [I'm sure there's an American equivalent] first for the CD player, as I don't imagine the ones found at the bargain end of the used market are terribly reliable). I wish I could suggest some brands to look out for with this approach, but I know that speakers in particular are entirely different over in the US (aside from B&W and Bose, not many brands make it over the Atlantic).

Scratch what I said above about Teac too - I've had a look at the US website and the Reference Series doesn't feature, just some generic nastiness. Denon also doesn't seem to do its nice little micro- systems (with decent speakers) outside Europe either.

Er, so I'm going to be of no help, other than to point out the obvious: Sony tend to know what they're doing in the sub-$300 range.

i want to spent 500 dollars on hifi system .tell me which brand and system is good 4 me .i also consider looks.

If you just use smaller bookshelf speakers instead of a mini system these can be had really cheap (made in China):

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/404infinity/

Here are graphs of the frequency testing:

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/404infinity/index4.html

Tivoli Audio Model Two with the CD player. It's a thing of beauty, I tell ya.