You certainly are a nice brother.

CD/DVD players are cheap, first off. For $200 you should be able to get a decent CD player, maybe more for a 5 disc dvd, I just don't know though.

Receiver - have you considered any Yamaha products? They're very flexible, reasonably priced, and perform very well. If it's purely a stereo set-up, budget $200-400 on this unit. If you'd like to give him upgradability, think 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 and budget $400-750, thereabouts.

(SUBTOTAL - $400-950)

Cables - There's no magic here. If its a two channel set-up, the speakers will likely be pretty close to the receiver - you can splurge on some shorter lengths of 12 gauge. Try eBay as well as the companies listed above. You really shouldn't have to pay more than $.25 - $.35 a foot for this - lamp wire is just fine. Interconnects are the same. Good shielded RCA or Toslink can be gotten cheap on the websites listed above or eBay. Again, nothing magical here. Budget - $100 MAX.

SUBTOTAL $500 - 1050

Subwoofer - HSU makes a great sub, but depending on the room, it might be more than you need. IF you go with bookshlef speakers, you'll definitely need something punchy and tight for the musical low end. Consider the smaller axiom subs, and fish around on the internet. Remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to subs - but how much do you really need? Think $350 - 500 here.

SUBTOTAL: $850 - 1550

Now, I realize that I've left the most important part for last. If you go lower end on all of the above, you'll have enough left over for some towers - think M50 from the warehouse, or M60 first run, no sub.... You should also be able to put together a set of M22's with this.

In the alternative, if money grows tight - consider just buying him the basics - Receiver and Speakers. Offer to help him set up the speakers etc, and rely on him to buy the CD player and connectors. Better to buy the best now and have no regrets than buy middle of the road stuff because it is all you can afford, only to have to turn around in a few years and re-buy everything. (Just a thought)

Now, speaking realistically - because he won't have any free time to listen to music, you can probably get away with a home theater in a box for $99. Problem solved...(kidding, of course).

Hope your brother enjoys!