Components for Vandersteen 1C's

My brother is looking to upgrade his stereo system (Marantz CC 48, HK AVI 200, KEF Q15's). He's already purchased (at my recommendation) a pair of Vandersteen 1C's. I have a Jolida 302B (with Mullard small tubes and Sovtec big tubes) that I think would be a fairly decent match for the Vandies (and I'd give him a 'family' price). So my first question is whether the Jolida would indeed be a good fit or whether he should look into other options.

Secondly, I've been leaning towards telling him to spend his money on a good (MSB?) DAC and use the Marantz as a transport rather than buy a new CD player. Is this good advice? He's got about $1250 left on his original budget to buy electronics, a digital source, and wires. I'd let go of the Jolida for ~$500, but he'd have to pay to get it to him. Any advice is appreciated.

Oh, his tatses lean towards rootsy rock and small band jazz (not much large ensemble stuff). He says he wants more bass than his previous bookshelf system. Musicality seems to be more important than detail and he really isn't obsessed about things like soundstaging.