If he is playing lossless files you really should look at the Parasound integrated, built in DAC, sub output with crossover, plents of power, suggested retail is $2500.00 and half the budget left for a decent set of speakers. Go up the line in Focal. Perhaps something in KEF's R series. If he likes to rock he might even like the Monitor Audio, they have a floorstander around $1k in the Silver series that's supposed to be good for the money, I can't remember the model, Silver 7 maybe. You have to like the music on the crisp side to enjoy monitor Audio. KEF was actually using this integrated to demo their large Blade 2 towers at an audio show.

You can see the Parasound integrated at Audio Advisor website, I don't have a link