Personally, I like the music hall Trio better. It has a real amp (50 watts), won't give him any tube trepidations or issues and even has s-video in/out if he wants to hook it up through his tv, all for $999. Aux inputs will handle an ipod just won't charge it.
The other options are:
for more money/quality, the arcam may be better, $1799?
If dvd is an issue, go with an NAD all in one.
The other options are:
for more money/quality, the arcam may be better, $1799?
If dvd is an issue, go with an NAD all in one.