You have said what I want to tell you, yes it's better to purchase bitcoin first then eth as for the altcoin you want in your portfolio. Most of the altcoins have moved good for the past few weeks including Ripple.

But this doesn't mean that it will change my mind of getting it. You should have your own reasons why you want to take it and put a grain of salt for each of the advice that you are taking up here. We don't want to distract you from investing and choosing with such coins because it's still your money but I'd tell you that having bitcoin should always be your priority.