Obituary: Richard Hay 1944-2012
It is with great sadness that we report the death from cancer of Richard Hay, a well known figure in the hi-fi industry.
Richard worked with Radfords, Nytech, Ion Systems and latterly with the Hungarian Electronics manufacturer Heed Audio.
He started his career at Truvox, where he designed and built the first FM tuner in the UK that used integrated circuits and FETs.
From 1969 until 1972 Richard was chief engineer at Radford Audio, where he worked with Arthur Radford and Arthur Bailey.
In the early 1970s Nytech Audio was founded, with Richard as its managing director. The company produced legendary amplifiers such as the Nytech CTA252 and later the CA202 and CA252 models.
Around the same time he co-founded ALSO, the Active Loudspeaker Standards Organisation, with his friends and peers Julian Vereker of Naim, Ivor Tiefenbrun of Linn and Bob Stuart of Meridian.
Following his success with Nytech, Richard went on to found Ion Systems and it was here that his design ideas were further developed and honed into what became the Ion Obelisk range (above).
When Ion Systems ceased to exist, Richard gave Heed Audio in Hungary permission to continue manufacture of his Obelisk design under the Heed brand name.
Richard continued to work with the company as a design consultant and then in the e arly 2000s teamed up with his son Robert to begin distribution of the expanded Heed product range in the UK.
In what we hope is a fitting tribute to Richard's contribution to the hi-fi industry, the Heed Obelisk si amplifier (above) was What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision's Best Buy stereo amplifier £1000-£1500 in this year's Awards.
Richard is survived by his wife Pat and three sons Robert, Duncan and Ian.
Comments
He could build an amp couldn't he? I've been through more system combos than I care to remember over the years, but I don't recall anything giving me as much simple musical pleasure as my Rega3/Coral 777EX, Nytech CTA252 and Diesis Solitaires.
My deepest sympathies to his family, I had the pleasure of knowing Richard and family when they lived in Chew Magna near Bristol where the Nytech products were manufactured.
Richard was a truly wonderful character with an incredible sense of humour loved his SAAB turbo's and Polar caravans.
I did spend many an hour listening to Nytech kit at his house and did end up owning a full Nytech active set up with ARC 202 speakers, one evening Richard demonstrated a Linn LP12,Grace arm, Supex cartridge,Nyteck pre amp and what seemed like a room full of Nyteck power amps and crossovers driving a pair of Linn Isobarik speakers and I don't think I have heard anything much better today??
Peter Duckett, Keynsham, Bristol
My Nytech 252 still works today and is magical with my Rega Planar 3. He must have been a gifted electronic engineer and will be sorely missed! My sympathies to his family.
I had the great privilege to get to know Richard over the last couple of years. His amazing enthusiasm and depth of knowledge was truly amazing - he would always spend time with you discussing the latest audio developments and giving great Hi Fi advice. I will always remember the demo he gave me with his 'stack' of Heed kit - showed me what proper high-end audio is all about. I'm now saving for my Obelisk si! My thoughts are with his wife Pat and sons - he will be greatly missed…