System building -budget $15,000

You should go to a local A/V boutique go through this excercise. If this person is not into gear currently, the system better be easy to use. The best way to get that is to have a local firm install the system and do all of the pre-programming so that one button starts, switches, and stops things when desired.

Those are all very nice components and well chosen for a 2-channel sound
system for music. I'm not familiar with the specific speakers you chose
though, and therefore would likely go with something I've had more
experience with. Speakers should be tailored with several factors in mind:
Synergy with the amp, size of the listening room, and musical listening
preferences. You may want to list those things to get a bit more tailored
responses here. The integrated amp option will simplify things, absolutely,
and I think is a great choice where amplification is concerned. The Rowland
amp looks fantastic too, if he is into appearences beyond the black-box look.
Don't skimp on that CD player as your front end is extremely important, and
a good system like you are assembling is going to reveal the weakest link(s).
My only question to you is this; if this person is not an audiophile, is his wife
sure he's going to appreciate this level of performance, or even hear or
appreciate the differences? Not everyone does. If not, or if there is any
doubt, you can certainly assemble a VERY rewarding system for MUCH less
money and put the balance towards something else. There is a poing of
diminshing returns in the wonderful world of high end, where the differences
in components become rather subtle. I'd question whether the lucky birthday
boy can hear the difference between a $5K system and a $15K system...or
even cares if he does. Is this the type of person who is going to sit down in
the sweet spot and listen for hours, or is this a system that will be played as
more of an ambient system with most listening done while walking around
the house doing other things. If the latter, I'd question the level of
investment here. Not that it isn't a spectacular gift. Just a thought.

Marco

This is one lucky man! BUT....thats a big budget for a guy who is not a confirmed audiophile. My suggestion is to get a decent 2.1 channel HT system with a plasma and a universal player instead. If this guy likes it and gets into the audiophile thing, the wife can let him upgrade/expand later as that may be part of the fun.

If this guy was already an audiophile I'd say go for it.

I went through this very same thing with my sister and her husband. Ended up with a sweet tv, 2 channel Bose system (not my choice...honestly) and a universal player instead. Dude loved it.