Who among us started out with the system we have now?
Give the guy a break and let him learn the way every one of us did: trial and error and triumph! That Denon/B&W system will sound way better than whatever he’s used to and will be an excellent introduction to all the features and switches.
I say it’s impossible to buy any system at any price and thereby assume the identity "audiophile." Doesn’t audiophilia require experience? Can you "buy-in" to the hobby?
Stuck in the back of a big box like Best Buy, Magnolia is definitely NOT the place to audition a competitive 2 channel system. If I were working there, I would have sold the guy pretty much the same stuff. I guarantee that system was good for everyone involved: good sound, good reliability, probable WAF, profitable, in-stock, solid stuff that can be enjoyed for years and then be a good value on the used market.