Need for a competent, qualified and experienced audio equipment repair shop / technician in Greater Mumbai.........

[Sean de Silva]

What a snob! I have heard of audiophile snobs but a repairer snob???

Very common occurrence IME. Over the decades I've run into quite a few of these types in Mumbai who put me off when they arrogantly bragged about repairing only "high-end" gear.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

Guess he must be old , made enough money and decided to take up only work which will get him a huge amount in terms of repair . Anyway this is going to get worse in coming days .

I am experiencing this with my Marantz Amps . So while I am trying to get the amps repaired , I have meanwhile upgraded to Norge Amp and also decided that if I am not able to get Marantz repaired then its Bye Bye to all imported stuff and just stick to Indian amps . I have always liked the Acoustic Portrait gear when I heard them in What Hifi Exhibitions .

 

[availlyrics]

upgraded to Norge Amp

This is the best decision, all norge amps are easier to repair

 

[analogadikt]

His test equipment probably don't give accurate readings on vanilla components/gear or maybe refuse to work at all.
What a snob! I have heard of audiophile snobs but a repairer snob???

Actually I don't blame him , cost of living and doing business is high in Mumbai , so he has his business model and if I don't fit in that , I have to find alternatives

And this experience is not new to me. Several years.ago I purchased a pre-owned pair of Quad II monoblocks . As I wanted a proper inspection and overhaul I approached a famous tech who at that time had his workshop in south Mumbai.at "grandfather junction" and commuted daily from his home at a hill station. He refused point blank, saying that he doesn't do cheap gear like Quad II . He showed me some very high end gear that had come in for some repairs and mentioned the name of a famous and very well respected business head as the owner.
This experience led myself and a dear friend to DIY learning of valve amps technology. We purchased a pair of Akai M8 R2R decks from chor bazar and embarked on a successful project of recapping and converting the SE EL84 monoblocks to standalone operation as hi-fi amps. Progressing further with that experience, acquired some more vintage PP amps and repaired them . Also built some new amps.

So I am thankful to the negative experiences also , as they teach something and can lead to some positive outcome. Today I can easily mentain my turntables, valve amps and speakers. I was looking for some tech to look into SS tape decks and that is why contacted Rajubhai.

Regards,

 

[Nitin K]

He refused point blank, saying that he doesn't do cheap gear like Quad II . He showed me some very high end gear that had come in for some repairs and mentioned the name of a famous and very well respected business head as the owner.
This experience led myself and a dear friend to DIY learning of valve amps technology.
So I am thankful to the negative experiences also , as they teach something and can lead to some positive outcome.

That was some snobbish and a show off behaviour.
Frankly speaking a person interested in getting his/her gear repaired would care 2 hoots for the high end gear he repairs and the business celebrities that come to him and would be more interested in his honesty and expertise.
But thanks to him, this outcome sure had a positive experience for you.

 

[keith_correa]

Guess he must be old , made enough money and decided to take up only work which will get him a huge amount in terms of repair ....

Or, he might just be an ***hole!

 

[jayantadak]

What a criteria for being eligible to getting the audio gear repaired... seems he has lot of moolah to lie upon.

 

[IndianEars]

His test equipment probably don't give accurate readings on vanilla components/gear or maybe refuse to work at all.
What a snob! I have heard of audiophile snobs but a repairer snob???

I disagree.

A repair technician (like any other professional) will put a price on their time, and low priced equipment may not sustain those revenues.

Low end equipment may often take MORE time to repair than Hi End equipment, either due to their age, or quality of internal construction.

Hence they simply decline repair of low cost products.

I don't see this as snobish.... Of course to each their own perspective .... but calling someone you have never met or interacted with, or understand their business policy, "a show off" or "snob" or even worse, an "***hole!" is WAY out of line.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

I have had such experiences with Electricians and contractors . But when Business is dull (like say COVID) then they will call you asking if there is some work . CD dealers in the past did not entertain retail customers . When CD shops started shutting down they had no option but to be nice to those very same retail customers . All these repair guys or even dealers / distributors of AV equipment will either change or shut down when this kind of mindset starts affecting their Business .

Remember that audiophile community is not a very huge population and its not as if its going to grow by leaps and bounds . If companies selling gear don't provide support and Support is not available outside , then cost of pursuing this hobby will become too high and eventually this is bound to affect their Business .

 

[keith_correa]

I disagree.

A repair technician (like any other professional) will put a price on their time, and low priced equipment may not sustain those revenues.

Low end equipment may often take MORE time to repair than Hi End equipment, either due to their age, or quality of internal construction.

Hence they simply decline repair of low cost products.

I don't see this as snobish.... Of course to each their own perspective .... but calling someone you have never met or interacted with, or understand their business policy, "a show off" or "snob" or even worse, an "***hole!" is WAY out of line.

You're right about my ***hole comment - it was actually meant to be in jest but the internet being what it is, I should have known better and posted knowing that people reading this would not be able to see my facial expressions when I say stuff like this. Apologies to those who took offense.

About the first part of your post - attempting to explain why these guys probably act this way - I disagree on opinion expressed but will not belabor the opinion in order to get this thread back on track.