Hello,
I recommend Rogue Sphinx integrated amp. It does have a class D back end but has the tube sound. It has two sets of preouts one variable and one not for maybe a headphone amp and subwoofers if he wants. Plus, a built in phono stage along with three other line inputs. Dali Minuet or Totem rain makers. Both have good bass, they are small, and disappear.
BlueSound Node or Vault if he wants to rip his cd collection too. Straightwire cables. Change the power cable to the Black Thunder. Very clean, powerful, neutral sounding cables at various prices. Rel T9x or T9i to save a few bucks or JL Audio sub like the D108. The KEF KC62 is good but I have seen it has placement issues. Last but not least is IsoAcoustics. Not cheap but make the system. ZaZen II or three Bordeaux Orea for the Sphinx and Aperta speaker stands. Also, another platform like the ZAZen to handle the turntable. This is going to be $800 to $1000 for the isolation equipment. This store in the Chicagoland area has all of this except for the Totems, but they do have a used REL T9 subwoofer. https://holmaudio.com/They will let him try before he buys. If he can swing it a Puritan PSM136 power conditioner. I should have put this first. The foundation is the most important unless he can run a dedicated line from the panel.
I recommend Rogue Sphinx integrated amp. It does have a class D back end but has the tube sound. It has two sets of preouts one variable and one not for maybe a headphone amp and subwoofers if he wants. Plus, a built in phono stage along with three other line inputs. Dali Minuet or Totem rain makers. Both have good bass, they are small, and disappear.
BlueSound Node or Vault if he wants to rip his cd collection too. Straightwire cables. Change the power cable to the Black Thunder. Very clean, powerful, neutral sounding cables at various prices. Rel T9x or T9i to save a few bucks or JL Audio sub like the D108. The KEF KC62 is good but I have seen it has placement issues. Last but not least is IsoAcoustics. Not cheap but make the system. ZaZen II or three Bordeaux Orea for the Sphinx and Aperta speaker stands. Also, another platform like the ZAZen to handle the turntable. This is going to be $800 to $1000 for the isolation equipment. This store in the Chicagoland area has all of this except for the Totems, but they do have a used REL T9 subwoofer. https://holmaudio.com/They will let him try before he buys. If he can swing it a Puritan PSM136 power conditioner. I should have put this first. The foundation is the most important unless he can run a dedicated line from the panel.