Darryl and Darryl ask ... where would you start?

We've all seen the 'what component is more important?' threads. Well, let's say someone bought into the 'speakers are way more important' argument. They now have a very good, and very revealing, pair of mains. Unfortunately, they have much, much less accomplished equipment upstream. If there is a pecking order, I would say their sources are better at being sources than their receiver is at being a pre and amp. They will have to upgrade gradually, spending perhaps $1000 or so at a time - strictly used, normally at less than 50% of retail. Would you advise them to dump it all into one component at a time (and if so, which one), or spread it among 2 to start, then upgrade again later?

Darryl advised to get a piece that you love, even if its sonic merits aren't immediately realized because of up- or downstream limitations. Then buy the next piece. If you don't have time (or money) to do it right, when will you have time (or money) to do it over?

Then my other brother Darryl advised them to stretch a bit to $1200 or $1500 and replace the receiver with both a pre and amp of modest capability (but still an improvement) so that they would hear an immediate improvement (which they may not with just an amp or source replacement.

Which Darryl, if either, was correct in your opinion?

Larry