Was my friend given misinformation.

@invalid

Of course you do, but it may help someone else who has a dual purpose room, as I do, and able to achieve great 2 channel sound, in addition to great HT. Separately.

Many years ago Kenwood expanded distribution into catalog showrooms which ticked off audio specialty stores who helped build the brand in the US.  Kenwood's answer was to offer an "Audio Purist" line to independent dealers.  Sounded like the right approach to us.  We we unboxed the first integrated amplifier we noticed right away it lacked the bulk we were used to with classic Kenwood designs.  Tone controls, etc. were removed -- only the essential elements remanded.  But, sonically, it was a gutless wonder.  It was finally time to pop off the case and take a lot inside.  It was, literally, the same internals as the items made for the knobs-per-dollar retailers -- just "audiophiled up" to appeal to specialty stores.  We said "good bye" to the line.

I retired in 2016 from the industry.  I did observe that many integrated amplifiers from full-line manufacturers were just a shadow of their former selves with build quality and robustness (or, lack of it) very comparible with their AVR counterparts.

That being said, it's not a stretch to see how the Best Buy salesman reached his conclusions.  Without "real" 2-channel gear on his radar, in HIS world, AVR's and integrated amps may be the same.  "You don't know what you don't know" is a valuable asset for recruitment and training at Big Box retailers.

Way2 has a similar background to mine...initially and still an enthusiast/ hobbyist, but spent almost 5 decades in the industry making my living.  Big chains hire people and "train them up" but they rarely achieve the level of knowledge of a true enthusiast.  In the company I worked for most of my co-workers in the mid-70s into the 80's were all enthusiasts with a lot of passion for HiFi...later, not so much.  

Who would ever listen to a salesperson at Best Buy. in the first place?  

Integrated amps have come a long way.  I dream of owning a Luxman 509.  Integrated amps help clear the clutter and they help to make room inside an entertainment center.  All I care about is knowing what's inside the cabinet.  If I had an expensive turn table, I would switch gears and go with a rack and use a small LED light on an arm to spotlight to show it off.  If I had a $100,00 sound system, I might look at things differently.  I wonder at times how many of our members have systems costing more than that.  

If he hasn't heard your system & you're willing to invite him into your house, you could invite him over for a listen.  Otherwise, he's made his choice.  I wouldn't hassle him about what he bought (or seek his advice on audio gear).

You can still talk about music, though!