I don't push Audio Note - those who see it that way well chances are are Paradigm owners.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

You are right, you don't push...you almost ram it down people's throats. And I am not nor ever was a Paradigm owner.

Your biggest benefit will come from a better front end (pre-amp section) of an integrated unit, or a new pre-amp altogether.
Right, it's not quantity of power it's quality of power. Big difference.

But don't expect a complete night and day difference from your receiver. Unfortunately, unless sheer, raw power and volume is desired, improvments in sound directly related to the amplification part of an audio system comes in small doses.
If we are comparing budget integrateds to budget seperates or even a good 2-channel receiver, I would agree. But over an HT receiver? C'mon. Definitely a substantial improvement.

At this point if he buys a better CDP or turntable, whatever, the improvements will be virtually nullified going through that receiver. And if he's using a digital connection between player and receiver, it's just a transport, and we all know how much of a difference that would make. Zilch.

Before I'd go that far, I'd wait until you're ready to upgrade your speakers.
If he upgrades speakers he will absolutely be upgrading the rest of his gear, and spending a lot more than $1000. So what comes first?