Absloute Lack of Authorised Dealerships / Outlets selling Branded HI-fi Separtes

[deepakgang]

US prices are unbelievably low. But I was just comparing the UK prices and it surely is cheaper in UK than in India. For ex a Marantz CD6003 retails for 230 GBP = 16.500 INR.
An Onkyo 609 is available for 35k in UK but the Indian prices are about 10K more. So does the TT mentioned here, the Rega P1 is cheaper by 10k here. Might not be for all items.


edit - cross posts

 

[ajay124]

I would like to audition the entire range of Accuphase, Esoteric, Pass Labs, Jeff Rowland, Krell, Ayre, Electrocompaniet, Jadis, Macintosh, Audio Research, Thiel, Sonus Faber, Dynaudio, Magneplanar, ATC, Totem, Avalon..... in New Delhi. Will it happen in the next couple of decades? NO.

I want to watch Valery Gergiev and The Mariinsky Orchestra perform in Delhi. Will it happen in the next ten years? Possibly! But as an ordinary citizen of India, I probably would not be able to get in :sad:

 

[Audio Slave]

ajay124

Very well said...It says it all.

 

[Audio Slave]

In universal terms ...only a few light years behind...

 

[venkatcr]

I would like to audition the entire range of Accuphase, Esoteric, Pass Labs, Jeff Rowland, Krell, Ayre, Electrocompaniet, Jadis, Macintosh, Audio Research, Thiel, Sonus Faber, Dynaudio, Magneplanar, ATC, Totem, Avalon..... in New Delhi. Will it happen in the next couple of decades? NO.

I don't want to get into an argument, but I dont think you can audition all these equipment in one place anywhere in the world. EVen in the US, when I wanted to audition an entry level system such as Aperion Audio, I had to travel some 150 miles, that too because I was in the neighbourhood.

If you have the kind of money to be able to afford expensive equipment, what is the issue in travelling a bit and auditioning? Between Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, you can audition most of these equioment.

I want to watch Valery Gergiev and The Mariinsky Orchestra perform in Delhi. Will it happen in the next ten years? Possibly! But as an ordinary citizen of India, I probably would not be able to get in :sad:

And can an average ordinary American watch a few famous Indian artists in his hometown? Your interest in Valery Gergiev and The Mariinsky Orchestra will be a miniscule percetage not worth any effort on their part to perform in India. I know of many people who travel to listen and watch these performances. I know of people who make a pilgrimage to Wimbledon and US Open every year, as I know of people who are in Vienna on 31 December.

In India, we should start appreciating what we have, and in terms of artists and music, we are the richest in the world. Come to Chennai in December and you will be feasted with a month of some of the best Indian music ever.

If you read the Auto news, some of the best and most expensive cars are now available in India. Why? Simply because the manufacturers see a demand for it. For Nokia, India is the second largest market in the world. Accuphase, Esoteric, Pass Labs, etc will come to India more aggressively when they see a demand. Till then we have to take the effort.

Cheers

 

[ajay124]

venkatcr

What I had posted was more in the nature of wishful thinking. I know it is not possible to audition, what can be termed as, niche hifi brands in one city. But I wish we had an Indian version of The Adelphi, Coleman Street.

If one was willing to travel to Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore, it would be possible to audition various permutations and combinations of high end systems. But flying down from Delhi/Chandigarh airfare+hotels+taxis, with at least two days in each city would work out roughly 40K. Perhaps if one has a 500K+ plus budget, then it would be worthwhile keeping 10% aside for auditions.

Taking the help of the Hifivision old boys network would result in considerable savings and plenty of interesting auditions and interaction

 

[Audio Slave]

venkatcr
Moderator

Some of the points you have made above are quite valid.
However it can not be denied that in most areas of development,we lag far behind any developed market in the world in terms of availability, competitive pricing, consumer rights etc. In the UK and USA I was able to return any goods bought by me up to one year of purchase even without producing the related Invoice. No questions were ever asked while refunding the money or giving replacement. Can you dream of that ever happening in India? Secondly the variety of brands available at most Hi-fi store there far exceeds what you see in the very few Hi-fi outlets that we have in this country.

Equating Indian Hi-fi market with those in Europe and USA is like equating the Space Shuttle with a bullock cart.

 

[Audio Slave]

ajay124

Once again very well said. Keep up the good work.

 

[Audio Slave]

akd

Thanks for your input based on personal experience. I fully garee with you. India is no real market for Hi-Fi equipment woth the name, whether anybody agrees or not.

 

[Audio Slave]

akd

Sorry for the typing mistake - that should be 'worth the name' and not woth...

 

[ajay124]

If a major conductor or orchestra performs in India, it would not be out of a profit motive. The motive would be diplomacy, creating goodwill or building a customer base for the future.

Because of the paucity of such concerts in Indian metros, it would be impossible to gain entry unless you have a red light on your car, or belong to the well connected super rich class. Music would probably be the last thing on the minds of the majority of the audience. It would be viewed as a social scoop, to be seen 'enjoying' a high society/high culture event and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Opinion

 

[akd]

If a major conductor or orchestra performs in India, it would not be out of a profit motive. The motive would be diplomacy, creating goodwill or building a customer base for the future.

Because of the paucity of such concerts in Indian metros, it would be impossible to gain entry unless you have a red light on your car, or belong to the well connected super rich class. Music would probably be the last thing on the minds of the majority of the audience. It would be viewed as a social scoop, to be seen 'enjoying' a high society/high culture event and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Opinion

I don't understand why you even expect concerted orchestra in India, remember Metros are not the point of discussion, first
let us learn to clean the place where we eat
let us pave the way for an ambulance or a school bus in day traffic
let us not occupy others reserved seats
let us not spit or damage public places

you may ask why these? good taste, matured behavior does not fall all of a sudden, rather its a regularity when one becomes aware, basically educated, responsible

 

[Audio Slave]

ajay124

Agree. Most Rock Concerts are not done for charity. There is a definite commercial angle and motivation for holding these. India remains a barren territory for that purpose. Remember the bungling done by the Delhi administration and how it ruined Bryan Adam's concert scheduled there some months back, thereby sending very wrong signals to other Rock Bands intending to perform in India. The mind set here is hardly conducive to holding large scale events of that kind. The government of this country perhaps considers rock concerts as bad influence on the youth of the country and tries to discourage them indirectly. Mujra's and other obscene items are possibly quite OK and in tune with their idea of India culture and heritage.

 

[Audio Slave]

akd
_________________________________________________
I don't understand why you even expect concerted orchestra in India, remember Metros are not the point of discussion, first
let us learn to clean the place where we eat
let us pave the way for an ambulance or a school bus in day traffic
let us not occupy others reserved seats
let us not spit or damage public places

you may ask why these? good taste, matured behavior does not fall all of a sudden, rather its a regularity when one becomes aware, basically educated, responsible
______________________________________________

Yes we have a long way to go in becoming a law abiding disciplined and civilized society in the true sense. Many things we do as a habit are highly objectionable, vulgar, uncouth and hedious..... Appreciation of good Music and similar artistic things are basically a result of personal refinement... on a national scale...

 

[Audio Slave]

Moreover "pehle pet pooja phir kaam dooja". When millions in this country go hungry and are deprived of food, shlter, education and clothing....music, hifi and concerts would be the last things on their minds... but the next meal of course and a place to sleep....

 

[Bluu]

Ajay makes a very valid point about traveling around for auditions needing a budget in itself. Most people have budgets of under 1L for their gear and speding 20-40% on auditioning is not practical.

Also, another major issue is availability of the entire (or most of) range of equipment. If you walk into any hifi store, you can only audition one or maybe two speakers from a particular brand. No one in India, not even the best dealers like ARN, Jochen and Venkat himself, can provide a demo of the entire range of what they actually carry. So, even if someone is willing to travel for an audition, there is no guarantee you'll get to hear what you want to buy.

Audio Slave - a small request, please use the multi-quote and edit posts buttons as needed and avoid posting one line posts back to back. Thanks!

 

[Audio Slave]

Ajay makes a very valid point about traveling around for auditions needing a budget in itself. Most people have budgets of under 1L for their gear and speding 20-40% on auditioning is not practical.

Also, another major issue is availability of the entire (or most of) range of equipment. If you walk into any hifi store, you can only audition one or maybe two speakers from a particular brand. No one in India, not even the best dealers like ARN, Jochen and Venkat himself, can provide a demo of the entire range of what they actually carry. So, even if someone is willing to travel for an audition, there is no guarantee you'll get to hear what you want to buy.

Audio Slave - a small request, please use the multi-quote and edit posts buttons as needed and avoid posting one line posts back to back. Thanks!

OK Sir.
Sorry for any blunders committed so far. Noted. Shall try not to repeat those in future. Hope you would pardon.

 

[captrajesh]

I feel the issue is your lack of knowledge than real availabality scenario.

This is absolutely correct. Pure lack of awareness is to be blamed.

And can an average ordinary American watch a few famous Indian artists in his hometown? Your interest in Valery Gergiev and The Mariinsky Orchestra will be a miniscule percetage not worth any effort on their part to perform in India.

In India, we should start appreciating what we have, and in terms of artists and music, we are the richest in the world. Come to Chennai in December and you will be feasted with a month of some of the best Indian music ever.

If you read the Auto news, some of the best and most expensive cars are now available in India. Why? Simply because the manufacturers see a demand for it. For Nokia, India is the second largest market in the world. Accuphase, Esoteric, Pass Labs, etc will come to India more aggressively when they see a demand. Till then we have to take the effort.

Well said. +1

in most areas of development,we lag far behind any developed market in the world in terms of availability, competitive pricing, consumer rights etc.

Not only developed markets, we lag behind even some developing markets.

I don't understand why you even expect concerted orchestra in India, remember Metros are not the point of discussion, first
let us learn to clean the place where we eat
let us pave the way for an ambulance or a school bus in day traffic
let us not occupy others reserved seats
let us not spit or damage public places

you may ask why these? good taste, matured behavior does not fall all of a sudden, rather its a regularity when one becomes aware, basically educated, responsible
______________________________________________

Yes we have a long way to go in becoming a law abiding disciplined and civilized society in the true sense. Many things we do as a habit are highly objectionable, vulgar, uncouth and hedious..... Appreciation of good Music and similar artistic things are basically a result of personal refinement... on a national scale...

We were the most advanced country, we had world's first universities, the best of riches the best of cultural developments many eons ago while most of the Europe comprised of hunters and gatherers. Alas, somewhere down the line we fell far far behind.

 

[vivek.saikia]

well we dont invest so much and buy hifi components very frequently. so best is take the time out to find out, go places to audition, enjoy the journey ..

but looks like what you are looking for is surely available there. Even here in UK, Southampton, I do not see many high street stores for hifi. Most of them are online who gives good deals. I agree that the prices are higher in India.

Agree to that. While in UK, even I had to roam around places to find decent AV dealers/shops in an English town. Finally, had to rely on online stores, which is a different experience altogether there, Infact, better than actually buying from the shops. The only downside is that you will not be able to do the auditions.

There are a few Music lovers and then there are a fewer Audiophiles among the masses. This makes the Hi-Fi industry very cliched.

 

[wlg]

Hi
Exclusive brands dont think it's worth their effort opening a service center here for a few owners, just as Bugartti have not opened a showroom in India