Note : I have not heard many stereo set-ups and I am probably not eligible to write any reviews. Cost of this purchase is again puny and audition time is less to write a proper review but this is just an experience or first impressions I wish to share here. Read only if you have patience. 
In an attempt to plunge into the stereo HiFi world, ignoring the warnings from my home minister not to buy anything new, and after receiving no response for wanted ad, I decided to get a new Norge combo. I called up Norge and was surprised to hear Mr Bajaj himself on phone. It became obvious that its a one man show. I met him at his factory for an audition/ purchase though I know the amp 2060 was not in stock.
It was surprising to see a man so simple and accessible despite being renowned. It was good to see him quite dynamic even at an age of 76(!).
He first asked me which genre of music I preferred and I said nothing specific, he can just play some bollywood music. He loaded a disc on his Philips CD player and cranked up the volume to 10o clock on the amp placed in the centre stage.
Now I realise that I am not anywhere close to being amazed by the output- its probably I had lot of expectations or probably I had underestimated my existing HT setup. What I immediately realised is the lack of lows and highs at normal volumes, I mean real lows and like those < 60Hz and sizzles > 10ks. But it was the mids, lower and upper mids that were very much emphasised. The bass was rather tight as per my preference and the reproduction of instruments like flute, tabla and guitar was very close to natural. CD was changed and the volume was raised, then things get a bit improved but then the clarity / separation seems to go for a toss. I asked him why it is so, he told that the recording was 15 years old. So I sit back and listen more. The soundstage is fairly big and it was fun to listen when there are few instruments playing. There was no distortion whatsoever at high volumes (checked till 2o clock). But when there are many instruments the sound becomes a bit congested that you get the urge to turn down the volume knob. It is no match for my existing setup in the bass and treble department but in plus or minus midrange, Millennium wins by a big difference. Overall, it was an OK feeling I got with the audition and since I had to plug the vacuum of mids of my setup I had to go for it.
I thought that it may probably cost much much more to buy what I have in mind so I asked for price. He said it is Rs. 12k and the amp was quoted at Rs. 8750 and Mr Shyam Bajaj has no interest to heed to negotiations. I had an option to audit the wharfs which was not far away in terms of cost but in terms of distance, it was. I did not have time left and I cannot afford another day away from office! I also have that bad habit that after I set out to buy something I never come back empty handed. So the speakers that were on the stands ended up in my car ( I knew I am given demo piece after the billing was done - no concession was given- hmmm).
Contd...
In an attempt to plunge into the stereo HiFi world, ignoring the warnings from my home minister not to buy anything new, and after receiving no response for wanted ad, I decided to get a new Norge combo. I called up Norge and was surprised to hear Mr Bajaj himself on phone. It became obvious that its a one man show. I met him at his factory for an audition/ purchase though I know the amp 2060 was not in stock.
It was surprising to see a man so simple and accessible despite being renowned. It was good to see him quite dynamic even at an age of 76(!).
He first asked me which genre of music I preferred and I said nothing specific, he can just play some bollywood music. He loaded a disc on his Philips CD player and cranked up the volume to 10o clock on the amp placed in the centre stage.
Now I realise that I am not anywhere close to being amazed by the output- its probably I had lot of expectations or probably I had underestimated my existing HT setup. What I immediately realised is the lack of lows and highs at normal volumes, I mean real lows and like those < 60Hz and sizzles > 10ks. But it was the mids, lower and upper mids that were very much emphasised. The bass was rather tight as per my preference and the reproduction of instruments like flute, tabla and guitar was very close to natural. CD was changed and the volume was raised, then things get a bit improved but then the clarity / separation seems to go for a toss. I asked him why it is so, he told that the recording was 15 years old. So I sit back and listen more. The soundstage is fairly big and it was fun to listen when there are few instruments playing. There was no distortion whatsoever at high volumes (checked till 2o clock). But when there are many instruments the sound becomes a bit congested that you get the urge to turn down the volume knob. It is no match for my existing setup in the bass and treble department but in plus or minus midrange, Millennium wins by a big difference. Overall, it was an OK feeling I got with the audition and since I had to plug the vacuum of mids of my setup I had to go for it.
I thought that it may probably cost much much more to buy what I have in mind so I asked for price. He said it is Rs. 12k and the amp was quoted at Rs. 8750 and Mr Shyam Bajaj has no interest to heed to negotiations. I had an option to audit the wharfs which was not far away in terms of cost but in terms of distance, it was. I did not have time left and I cannot afford another day away from office! I also have that bad habit that after I set out to buy something I never come back empty handed. So the speakers that were on the stands ended up in my car ( I knew I am given demo piece after the billing was done - no concession was given- hmmm).
Contd...
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