A/V Receiver Recommendations Under 800.00

NAD T743, T753, Sony ES DA1000 (not DA2000)

T753 big bang for the buck but Retails for $999. Worth the money for future flex. (main in/pre out, easy to use, drives most speakers well).

find a used arcam avr200 which is a very good sounding unit and unobtrusive with a nice clean front panel

All the above mentined (if you haved to use a receiver, which is a \sonic compromise, yes) receivers, like the Arcam 200, Nak AV10, Yamaha DSPA1/RXV1, Outlaw, etc are good sonic recommendations. Run speakers DEFINITELY as "small" however, and let the sub do the work.
Receivers are dynamically very challenged, and don't deliver current like separates power amps...not to mention most passive speakers are already limited dynamically.
Anyway running your receiver as small will help greatly!
After that, have him look for adding an amp at least in the future for better sound if possible. Then get a good pre/pro latter as well.

I got an Onkyo TXNR 900...full features...good remote, tons of features and built like a tank....mail me if interested Chad

Thank you all for your recomendations. My friend decided on a Denon due to the WAF.

Michael