[tikisteve]

I'm thinking about setting up an inexpensive bedroom system.  My thought is that it would be based on Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers and either a NAD 316BEE or an Onkyo TX-8050...does anyone have any experience or opinions on these?

thanks

[wilsynet]

You'd be better off getting more efficient speakers and a T-amp.

More efficient speakers like these:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/hoyt-bedford-omega-type-1

And an amp like this:

http://www.trendsaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37&Itemid=28

About $800 altogether.

[wilsynet]

Oh, there's also this:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105413.msg1079691

I expect it will be loads better than the NAD or the Onkyo.  I think it's rated at 30 wpc, which might be ok with those speakers in a smaller room, but I'd still prefer a higher efficiency speaker.

[milford3]

These Axioms M3's will light up any room.  I have them and are just outstanding.  Break-in is about 100 hours and they just transform into magic.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m3.html

[wilsynet]

Never heard the Axioms, but it looks like they're much easier to drive, 8 ohms @ 92db efficient versus 6 ohms @ 86db efficient.

It's not that I have anything against more difficult to drive loads, it's that for a given quality of sound, you would expect that it is cheaper to buy an amp that has less power versus an amp that needs to deliver more power.

[BrassEar]

The ONKs (with WRAT technology) are one of the great bargains in all of audio. But the tweaks and reviewers are biased against ONKYO. Too bad, they are wonderful sounding units.

I have embarrassed alot of audiophiles with blind listening to ONK equipment.

The NADs are also very good but I would give the nod to ONK for overall quality and value.

[wilsynet]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.  Excluding the master series (which I have not heard) I think NAD makes gear which is slighty better than mass market, Best Buy style consumer electronics.

[wisnon]

The ONKs (with WRAT technology) are one of the great bargains in all of audio. But the tweaks and reviewers are biased against ONKYO. Too bad, they are wonderful sounding units.

I have embarrassed alot of audiophiles with blind listening to ONK equipment.

The NADs are also very good but I would give the nod to ONK for overall quality and value.

True, but the NAD with Rowen Swiss mods are even better than either. Wink, wink!