Good choice, a modern steel frameset with the virtues of classic Audax/Rando machines.
Your friend is welcome to his opinion on '80's Japanese bikes but a Prestige main frame, 130mm rear spacing, 1 1/8 threadless fork, a full compliment of braze-ons and 700C w/ clearance for fenders are not '80's spec. Soma has done a good job of updating traditional designs to accept modern components without losing versatility and ride quality.

My Soma, the Stanyan model, is solid, lively and capable of carrying the load for a long self supported ride or a weekend credit card tour without handling vices.
It would slog back/forth in a commute quite nicely if required to do so.

-Bandera