Travelling to Germany next week

[Nikhil]

Hello Friends,

I am going to be in Germany next week on work but would be very interested in visiting some audio manufacturers or show rooms if time permits. I will be in the Frankfurt and Stuttgart areas. I have no idea how my plans would work out at this time but I am very keen on listening to some German brands if something interesting works out.

I would appreciate it very much if anyone knowledgeable on German hifi could advise on what options are available.

Best Regards.

 

[sunder]

Hello Friends,

I am going to be in Germany next week on work but would be very interested in visiting some audio manufacturers or show rooms if time permits. I will be in the Frankfurt and Stuttgart areas. I have no idea how my plans would work out at this time but I am very keen on listening to some German brands if something interesting works out.

I would appreciate it very much if anyone knowledgeable on German hifi could advise on what options are available.

Best Regards.

Nikhil, Bon Voyage! In Germany, try to listen to 'Valvet'- tube pre&Mono block amps and Vaxative full range speakers.
Regards,
sunder.

 

[denom]

Nikhil, Bon Voyage! In Germany, try to listen to 'Valvet'- tube pre&Mono block amps and Vaxative full range speakers.
Regards,
sunder.

Surely, you meant Voxativ Loudspeakers.
Voxativ Loudspeakers: Loudspeaker Systems

 

[sunder]

Surely, you meant Voxativ Loudspeakers.
Voxativ Loudspeakers: Loudspeaker Systems

denom, sorry for the error. yes that's Voxativ. Thank you.
Regards.

 

[Her Master's Voice]

Nikhil, Bon Voyage! In Germany, try to listen to 'Valvet'- tube pre&Mono block amps and Vaxative full range speakers.
Regards,
sunder.

Valvet seems to be something really extraordinary. I remember the shop owner in Bangalore where I bought some equipment raving about it.

Otherwise HiFi-Profis in Frankfurt is a hugh shop where you get all the big brands under one roof.

 

[arj]

if you buy anything (not sure of the min value) , keep the invoices. you can claim back the VAT at the airport.
you need to ask the shop if they are participating or not..they will guide you on the process.
i found Germany to be very expensive despite that..its better to buy Music than equipment unless it is a Niche product like Aqvox etc etc.

Frankfurt Airport | VAT Refunds
Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refunds by Rick Steves

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Manger speakers...

SPL Phonitor headphone amp...
(I could pay the return airfare with the Europe/India price difference, and it was before the Rp collapse that I was asking)

 

[Staxxx]

Hi Nikhil, when I lived in Europe I used to find some great deals - especially on cables and other tweaks on this classifieds site used by individuals and dealers. Hope you have basic German ...it may help:
HiFi - audio-markt.de - Die HiFi-Seite
Have a great trip.

 

[Nikhil]

Hi Nikhil, when I lived in Europe I used to find some great deals - especially on cables and other tweaks on this classifieds site used by individuals and dealers. Hope you have basic German ...it may help:
HiFi - audio-markt.de - Die HiFi-Seite
Have a great trip.

Thanks! Did take two classes in German back in college.
But nowadays I have Google Chrome!!

 

[Nikhil]

if you buy anything (not sure of the min value) , keep the invoices. you can claim back the VAT at the airport.
you need to ask the shop if they are participating or not..they will guide you on the process.
i found Germany to be very expensive despite that..its better to buy Music than equipment unless it is a Niche product like Aqvox etc etc.

Frankfurt Airport | VAT Refunds
Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refunds by Rick Steves

Very good advice arj. I have used this once before on a video camera purchase some years ago.
You get a hefty chunk of change back. Well worth looking for the customs VAT refund counter.

 

[Staxxx]

I do hope you will be able to go to at least one nice live concert while you are there. If you need a specific recommendation drop me an email. It is usually quite an event and a wonderful evening out at a beautiful venue. This is something I sorely miss over here.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Well worth looking for the customs VAT refund counter.

It is a must, especially if there us any chance that you might be charged customs duty coming into India. No point in paying two countries' taxes!

I don't know what the rate in Germany is, but I think it is a massive 20% in UK.

 

[Rajiv]

Hi,

If you can find the time,try and check out Auditorium 23. Very interesting company. The PHY-HP speakers are really interesting. They are on my list of must listen to speakers.

PHY-HP famous speakerunits made by former Bernard Salabert of France. - YouTube

Contents

Partners

Regards
Rajiv

 

[bhagwan]

Manger speakers...

This is available in India & The D & D has it set up with an EMM [3 Box Machine]
I am sure demo is possible.
I understand that the D & D is also offering some 'special' price on it...

Nikhil, Bon Voyage! In Germany, try to listen to 'Valvet'- tube pre&Mono block amps and Vaxative full range speakers.
Regards,
sunder.

I like Valvet a lot.
It is my favorite 'budget' electronics from Germany.
Have heard it several times & have high regard for it.
Must listen.

The 'Vox' never 'tickeled' me - heard it a few times - over the years & something was just not right...

Have a 'safe' trip.
Do listen - so you can form your own opinion...

 

[Nikhil]

I do hope you will be able to go to at least one nice live concert while you are there. If you need a specific recommendation drop me an email. It is usually quite an event and a wonderful evening out at a beautiful venue. This is something I sorely miss over here.

I am going for a trade show so will have a couple of evenings out with at least one or two "Oompah bands" performing. Will take you up on your offer.

PM Sent!

 

[apk]

Hi Nikhil,

When I stayed in Belgium for a few months, I used to order many items from Amazon Germany - not specifically electronics, but DVDs, CDs, camera lens, books etc. Might be worth checking out Amazon Germany for any good offers. You could order stuff and get it delivered to your hotel (the deliveries have always been prompt)

Slightly OT - Germany is also a very good place to pick up excellent cutlery/knives. JK Henkel and Wusthof knives are 2 brands that come to mind. You will also find some good crockery, baking dishes etc. They are on the expensive side, but well worth it and will last you a lifetime (my uncle and aunt lived in Germany in the late 80s, and some of the the knives that they got my parents are still in use)

Have a safe trip and do report any interesting audo experiences!

 

[Nikhil]

Hi Nikhil,

Slightly OT - Germany is also a very good place to pick up excellent cutlery/knives. JK Henkel and Wusthof knives are 2 brands that come to mind. You will also find some good crockery, baking dishes etc. They are on the expensive side, but well worth it and will last you a lifetime (my uncle and aunt lived in Germany in the late 80s, and some of the the knives that they got my parents are still in use)

Have a safe trip and do report any interesting audo experiences!

Thanks apk! Yes, Germany has some incredible metallurgy. We've been regular visitors to Germany for some years now and knives and crockery have been some of the nice things from there. My dad used to collect pewter figurines for his collection which I have now inherited.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

[Manger speaker] is available in India & The D & D has it set up with an EMM [3 Box Machine]
I am sure demo is possible.
I understand that the D & D is also offering some 'special' price on it...

And I recall that you were passing on a pair not so long ago: a very good offer that made me think about selling the car! :licklips:

 

[bhagwan]

And I recall that you were passing on a pair not so long ago: a very good offer that made me think about selling the car! :licklips:

Sir,
I never owned a Manger ever;
I do not like its sound.
There may have been a few pairs 'floating' around, but I personally have never owned a Manger - Nor do I plan to buy 1;
All said, if you would be interested, I could get you & the D & D 'introduced'
[you may take it further from there] !

 

[manniraj]

It is a must, especially if there us any chance that you might be charged customs duty coming into India. No point in paying two countries' taxes!

I don't know what the rate in Germany is, but I think it is a massive 20% in UK.

I think you can avail VAT refund at the international airport for flying out of the European union if the refund did not happen at the merchant location. Check out this site for details regarding how the VAT refund happens. It is pretty straight forward you need to ask for the form as stated in the site at the merchant location (most of the merchants deduct the VAT at the source itself) and submit the same at the customs in the Frankfurt or any other international airport within European union to claim the refund.