Hi Angrybird,
Which specific Yamaha receiver are you referring to? Ditto for the Wharfdale speakers. What's the budget so we could comment/suggest alternatives?
When I bought my system 9 months ago, I listened to all the brands that I could get my hands on. For receivers, I listened to Sony, Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, NAD, Sunfire/ATI, EAD. For speakers, I listened to B&W, Mission, Tannoy, Paradigm, Definitive Tech, PSB, etc.
Stereo performance was critical to me as I have quite a bit of CD's. On this criteria alone, I shortlisted Onkyo, Denon, and NAD as I found the Yamaha's sound to be quite unnatural/too processed and rather thin/lean. The Onkyo was sounded warm while the Denon's standout quality was the soudstage. In the end, I found the best compromise in the NAD T760.
As for speakers, I shortlisted the B&W 300 series (I found that I preferred this over the more expensive 600 series)Mission 73-series, PSB, and Dynaudio. In the end, I can't get the kind of pace and resolution of the Dynaudios anywhere else so I treated myself to the Audience line.
I've read that the Yamaha's have since significantly improved their stereo performance while maintaining excellent home theater clout but I haven't auditioned for myself to find out.
About Wharfdale, I think this is one company that has seen better days. Although they're trying a revival of sorts with thir latest offerings.