Marantz PM8004 at 1K list. Smart shopping should be able to get one for less.
Built at their reference factory in Japan, this integrated is not afraid to state its true specs - 70 wpc into 8, 100 wpc into 4, damping factor at 100, nice MM phono stage that will easily accommodate high output MC cartridges and a hefty 27 lbs. I heard one driving a pair of 10K Sonus Faber Cremona M's once, a 4 Ohm speaker, and was very impressed with its performance. Strongly suggest this goes on your friends short list.