Friend needs help

For a little more, you could get a Primare i25. It has expansion slots to add a pretty nice DAC (DM-36) and streamer (Prisma) boards. This would make it an all-in-one component, but even without, the i25 is a nice Integrated. 

I had the Primare Pre35 for a while. It's knobs and casework were very nice and did not feel cheap at all, compared to others in this price tier.

There are a ton of good streaming amps out there, think that should work, get some better speakers. There are some bookshelf ones out there that will sound much better over the CV's. Think he can get a "rocking" setup for $1500-3000 range.

Yes sir mswale.  The CV's are ok, I did just get them serviced and they sound not bad for what they are.  I compared them to my JBL 4312A's and JBL 4309's book shelves, which in my opinion are the classic California rock sound we love.  I did give him some B/W bookshelves, which out to help. 

I also compared the CV's to my other set up, Rotel pre and (2) amps with B/W 702 S3's and Focal Utopia Micro's and  quite different.  Again, pretty mediocre.  He will never spend the money I have just need to keep him improved.  

Thanks all, as always you guys are great!

Looking for the Primare i25, No longer available new, but Crutchfield recommend this one.  Looks strong, love the meters and good reviews.  What do you guys say?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_538A10/Advance-Paris-A10-Classic.html

@speedysteve4 Crutchfield is probably not a dealer anymore but Audio Adviser has them new. It is their latest current model.

Here is a fully loaded one (dac and streamer) at Audio Advice

(two different companies with similar name but they both have all the models)

Things to consider:

- The Primare is Class D amplification.

- The Advance Paris is a tube pre with Class A/B amplification. Is your friend okay with tubes.