millercarbon
Surge protection is worth the cost.
You don't need a surge protector. What you need- what is missing from your list that will make a big improvement- well it depends on what you have. If your receiver has a detachable power cord then a better one will make a big difference ...A better power cord will make no difference at all if his components get fried from a power surge. Your other suggestions - better interconnects, speaker wire, upgraded fuses and refined speaker placement - will also be of no consequence if his equipment gets fried by a power surge.
Surge protection is worth the cost.