Yes most people don't know Audio Note because they typically make stupidly expensive 1/2 million dollar+ stereo systems so it's generally an esoteric brand for wealthy German dentists.
After thinking it over some more - you know it's best to spend the time auditioning stuff herself - try not to get focused on reviews or brand names. I key holed in on the KEF and AX Two simply because I have both of them here on hand.
Far too often we get fixated on the brand or the big review and the lesser known stuff gets missed as a result. Big names have more marketing clout and get more reviews. But back in Canada I picked up some nice Tannoy speakers at Cash Converters (a pawn shop) for $60 in perfect condition. The KEF and AX Two are better but - c'mon $60 and you can live with them. Tannoy is no slouch. I've seen some pretty good Paradigm, B&W DM series and PSBs in those placed for a song.
This is her first good stereo - simple is better. Generally I prefer going with a bigger overall sound than what Totem has to offer. They look cute but you wind up overpaying for wood veneers and the midrange is IMO hihly cupped and compressed - lots of bass for the size and lots of treble but over the long haul that wares when the midrange is quashed. In fast auditions in busy showrooms you get impressed when you hear big bass from 4 inch woofers but it always comes at an expense of sounding thick over time and smearing the midrange.
My suggestion is have her listen for awhile - as long as possible. Speakers and systems that impress for 20 minutes may irritate you over a longer session.
Also, no matter how much people may like something you may not (or she may not).
Is she into a product that looks interesting as well as sounds good? $5k is a lot to spend just out of the blue. Speakers are a pretty safe bet on the used market. For ~$2000 she might get a second hand pair of Focal Micro Utopia or Reference 3a MM De Capo or Audio Note K/Lx which are bigger more full range standmounts but should be fine in in a 12 by 8 room.
If she wants headphones as well as playing music from a computer you might look at something like the OPPO HA-1
https://www.oppodigital.com/headphone-amplifier-ha-1/
This thing does everything - it's a DAC for computer audio playback, it's a preamplifier, it's a headphone amplifier. Plug in the ipod etc. I have not heard it but OPPO has a very solid reputation - then buy a decent power amp second hand - they can be very cheap indeed and power amps are very safe buys second hand because there are no moving parts. You could pick up 70-200 watt per channel amps for $200 from NAD/Rotel/Arcam etc.
Indeed, the Rotel RB 1050 is a nice 70 watt per channel power amp that can be had for $250 used - it was a pretty big seller so they pop up often. With her budget she could do even better on the power amp front.
This route will best the $1200-$1500 integrated amp options. You will get more power and separate power supplies and more upgrade options (flexibility) down the road. Plus the HA-1 will out feature any integrated amps. Separate preamps almost always sound better than the preamps in budget integrated amplifiers. And integrateds don't have any features typically.
Get her to listen to as much as she can. keep track of the favorites - try to block out the looks and reviews and name badges - every brand gets a good review from someone.
Besides part of the fun is in the shopping and hunting. I don't mean this to be condescending to women but some women need to be convinces that it is like buying an outfit - that the gadgets actually sound different and have their own "style" when presenting the music. And not every styles suits every listeners just as Rolex and Omega make $8,000 watches which watch you like won't necessarily be the one I like.