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

[Audio Slave]

DROUGHT OF GOOD BRANDED HI-FI DEALERSHIPS / OUTLETS

Living in India feels like living in a desert or jungle as far as availability of branded International Hi-Fi products is concerned even today in 2011. There is an acute scarcity of authorized dealerships / outlets in North India. Whatever few outlets are there, say in Delhi or Chandigarh, it is rare to find any products in ready stock and you are told, have to be ordered against advance payment.

Many brands and names have never been heard of by some of these dealers.
All this makes one realize the extent of backwardness and poverty that exists in this country despite all the talk of development and growth. Here things are still at least 50 to 100 years behind the developed markets in the rest of the world like the UK and USA. The economic and trade reforms started in 1990 have not helped much in this area.

I wonder if the situation would ever improve when most world class products would be easily available in this country off the shelf in at least bigger cities like Delhi and Chandigarh?

 

[malvai]

what brands are you looking for specifically?

 

[Audio Slave]

For example:

Rega and Pro-Ject Debut Turntables
Audioengine Speakers...

 

[Audio Slave]

In fact most other brands too like Rotel, NAD, Marantz, Tannoy, Dali, Mission, Monitor Audio, B&W....etc are hard to find - particlarly ready availabilty of thier complete range comprising of various models and 'off the shelf' ...One is forced to run in circles amd made to feel like a fool wanting to buy the moon....

 

[deepakgang]

well how many were there 10 years ago who could spend so much money for a high end hifi.. when the demand increases, there will definitely be supply.

 

[Audio Slave]

Thanks for the links.
I also meant the ability to see, checkout and audition each product before buying - which is very essential before you decide that you like it and pay for it.

 

[Bluu]

10 years ago? Heck, even today the number of people who are even aware of something called hi-fi will be minuscule. Let alone dropping cash on equipment. Hopefully, the upturn of the economy will increase buying power and will allow more brands and dealers to become available!

 

[venkatcr]

This has nothing to do with India. Even if you go to SFO, NY, Dubai or London, the number of shops that display high-end items will be very few. It has a lot to do with the price of the product, it's limited market, and carrying cost. The only difference they have is the annual or bi-annual exhibitions where you can see and sample stuff in large numbers. And of course, Net based purchases with the return policy is more mature there.

If you are serious about Hi-Fi, you must gather some information, be patient, and search diligently. Literally every product you can think of is available in India.

Cheers

 

[deepakgang]

I have a friend who is an audio enthusiast. He boasted about his hifi collection.. when I enquired he told about his philips and sony hifi systems and 4000 PMPO funda!
Slowly, but surely this is changing..

 

[Audio Slave]

Even brands such as Rotel, B&W, Marantz, Tannoy, NAD, Mission etc. are hard to get - particularly the entire range and off the shelf...
You are made to look like a fool going in circles trying to find and audition any on them...

 

[Audio Slave]

venkatcr
Moderator

Having lived in the United Kingdom for many years and a few years in the USA, I do not agree. The availabilty of most products in Hifi shops and stores in close proximity to the place of your living is much more and definitely easier. There are so many of them in each city. The prices are very competitive too - 25 to 50% lower than what is quoted in India.

 

[malvai]

@ Audio Slave:

dude, you're right about the inabundance of dealerships in India...

But, if you look around, you'll find places...

for instance if you want to audition Arcam, Nagra, Conrad Johnson, AvantGarde and loads more

you can check out this delhi store: SOUND OF MUSIC


then there is Denny of Bass 'n Treble, he does Marantz, Bryston Monitor Audio, dali etc...

There is Lakozy in Delhi that does NAD, PMC etc

Plus a whole lot more...

While there are many brands that one does not get here, there is still ample to choose from!

 

[Audio Slave]

deepakgang
bluu

Surely it is a question of disposable incomes, demand and suppy and affordabilty. Overall higher standard of living and a taste for owning Hifi components based systems (rather than all -in-ones and theatre systems) have a lot to do with it.
I too wish that the situation sould improve. However at the moment it is a depressing scenario of acute shortages / non-availability. Even if things improve in coming times, it could be a painfully slow process....

 

[Audio Slave]

malvai

Thanks for the response, information and the encouragement.
Regarding "there is still ample to choose from!". I wish this was true...
It becomes a daunting prospect if you decide to build a system of your choice..particularly the checking and auditioning part at close quarters...

 

[hemantwaghe]

@ Audio Slave as Malavi said I feel the issue is your lack of knowledge than real availabality scenario. Also your location is so hazy ( North India - as per my limited geography knowledge it is BIG territory) that giving actual ,useful suggestion is impossible.

 

[deepakgang]

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.

 

[Audio Slave]

hemantwaghe

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

Thanks for the compliment. If North India is a BIG territory as per your limited knowledge of Geography, can you count more than 10 proper Hifi dealerships within and outside Delhi in the entire North Indian territory who would have in ready stock many branded product ranges at any given time ?

 

[hemantwaghe]

I am from Mumbai with limited knowledge of Delhi....so my Delhiite friends can take the challenge?
My suggestion - please add JBL store and Lyrita ,and how about Pioneer stores in delhi? They keep any hi fi stuff?

 

[doors666]

its a misconception that prices are higher in india (barring a few greedy distributors). its only higher as compared to US. But US is cheaper than most of the other countries. In UK, try to buy a/v gear that is made in US and then compare. of course uk based products will be cheaper in UK.

I even see canadians, mexicans, europeans, aussies, brazilians etc cribbing about the prices of av gear all over the net. its only the americans that have it good.

 

[Audio Slave]

doors666

See for yourself by the following prices:

At the moment the Marantz PM6003 Amp is selling for Pounds 240 in the UK which amounts to roughly Rs. 17,300...whereas it is still being sold for Rs.27,000 to 30,000 in India. Simialrly the price of Rega RP1 Turntable is equivalent to Rs. 16,200 in the UK as against Rs.26,000 to 30,000 in India. Again Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 Speakers - Rs.16,000 in UK as against Rs. 32,000 quoted in India. Huge price difference !

What do you say this?