One of the fringe benefits of having ruined my ears in playing in rock bands for 10 years is that I don't need the high end audio gear.

I can't tell the difference between a $500 amp and a $10'000 amp... my top end is a little off hehe.

If you have a tight budget, buy it one piece at a time. If I were you I would buy.
- A surround sound amp.
- 2 high quality front speakers.

and go from there. The two speakers will sound so ridiculouslt good he won't mind waiting another year while he saves up for rear and side speakers!

 

3 years ago i would have recommended

Pioneer 1016TX for $399
Swans Diva 2.1 BC $329 at OZ Home Theater for mains, C3 BC center $330, and either 2.1 BC or R2 BC surrounds $330
SVS 25-31 PCi or PB12-NSD sub for $550/$600.

although you can get these fine speakers for only 20k http://cgi.ebay.com/Swan-2-3F-Reference-To...=item27ada68adb

Today I have not kept up.