IF the person had definite plans to end up with a very high caliber system, and they had a feel for what stuff they wanted to end up with, I would seriously recommend the one really good item at a time method. (except for cables.. which I would recommend getting modest but decent low < $200 pr and keeping them, along with modest speaker cables, untill the system was basically up to the final level desired. Then go for cables)
IF, on the otherhand, the person was not sure what direction, (home theater, stereo only surround/no video, etc) nor just how far up the quality ladder they wanted to go,,, I would recommend the gradual approach, getting step ups in several bits at a time, smaller multi-unit steps, rather than single major investment items. Then they would HAVE the opportunity to experiment and find what was right for them, and at what expense level they choose to level off at.
Another factor in this equation is TIME. If the period between money 'bites' was long (12 months or more), I would tend to favor the multi/ gradual approach.
If the money chunks came in shorter periods (every 6 months) I definitely would go for single item best can do system.
My $0.02
And I would personally agree with the first brother.
IF, on the otherhand, the person was not sure what direction, (home theater, stereo only surround/no video, etc) nor just how far up the quality ladder they wanted to go,,, I would recommend the gradual approach, getting step ups in several bits at a time, smaller multi-unit steps, rather than single major investment items. Then they would HAVE the opportunity to experiment and find what was right for them, and at what expense level they choose to level off at.
Another factor in this equation is TIME. If the period between money 'bites' was long (12 months or more), I would tend to favor the multi/ gradual approach.
If the money chunks came in shorter periods (every 6 months) I definitely would go for single item best can do system.
My $0.02
And I would personally agree with the first brother.