I suggested a reciever with component video options because just about all recievers in the $300 range have it now, and it will still be useable 5 years from now when he has an apartment or house and wants a real home theatre. I'm shopping for a reciever now because my current one doesn't do component video switching. As for a sub- look into Velodyne, they make descent home subs that aren't ungodly expensive like some....As for the vintage stuff, not everyone gives a rats *** about tube amps Jack. I somehow doubt this guy would know the difference, because I'm not sure I would hear the difference. He did say he wanted to watch movies and such, that's why I recomended what I did.