We all have our standards. The guy walking to work thinks a Yugo is pretty nice.
And what are my requirements? All I asked for was something that would give me equivalent functionality to my old rack stereo from 50 years ago, but with modern electronics and connectivity.
You're not going to get it done for under $1,000. ....
...
I think it can be done. I'm a bit of an audiophile, but I also recognize that many people just need something 'adequate', and today, as I said, if you choose wisely, you can get a lot of bang for the buck.
Heck, I spent most of today in my workshop, listening to the Classical station over some really low end equipment. I still enjoyed it (didn't enjoy the work, relocating a utility wash tub, plumbing! arghhhh!). I don't want to put good stuff in my shop, with the sawdust and stuff.
But OP hasn't really defined what he wants. And is he really starting from nothing? No speakers anywhere? Nothing?
How many rooms for speakers? What kind of listening? If you want high volumes and deep bass, that takes some higher $ speakers and amp power. But lower volume, and enough low-end to not sound 'tinny', not so much.
I've used this in a spare room with some small bookshelf speakers that didn't cost much. A $35 amp. It sounds OK. No match of course for my B&K amp and Magnapans fed by a high quality DAC, but for many people, it serves the purpose just fine. It's not Wireless, but that can be had for $105 (with more power, and subwoofer output).
https://www.parts-express.com/Lepai...dio-Mini-Amplifier-with-Power-Supply-310-3000
https://www.parts-express.com/Dayto...lifier-with-Sub-Frequency-Adjustment-300-3831
So how about some more details? Is there one room that would be for more serious listening (better amp/speakers there), and maybe the other rooms (how many?) are just casual background music?
There are $100 speakers that a lot of people would be happy with, even if some of us would not.
And what are my requirements? All I asked for was something that would give me equivalent functionality to my old rack stereo from 50 years ago, but with modern electronics and connectivity.
But we have no idea what your rack system's capability was, in terms of sound quality. Some of those per-assembled all-in-one racks were awful, but if someone put their own high quality components in a rack it could take some $$$ to match that quality even 50 years later.
Your saying
"I want a car, it's got to be able to go places. Doesn't need to be fancy/fast, but decent. Should have everything my car from 50 years ago had. What should I buy?"
Need a lot more detail for any meaningful help.
-ERD50