HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Nadia has asked me to tell you all that Richard has died after a short illness.

His funeral service took place yesterday at Eltham Crematorium. Nadia's wishes were that this should be kept private.

He leaves a legacy which will no doubt be described in response to this news. For me it is a legacy of music, ideas and a community which is, to some extent, embodied in this forum but those who new him in person will know there was much more.

Richard's passing, it does without saying, was not expected. However, NVA and this forum will continue. Richard had passed on a good deal of his construction knowledge to others who have been, for some time now, working with Richard to manufacture product. All existing orders are being fullfilled. A group of us are forming to work out future arrangements.

So sad to read this RIP. Condolences to Nadia. Richard will never be forgotten amongst the Hi-fi community.

Sad news indeed. All my best to Nadia at this very difficult time.

Very sad news, condolences to Nadia and their close family and friends. Richard/NVA achieved more with his life than many of us could imagine and it’s good to hear that his legacy will live on

I had already written this short tribute and it seems fitting to post it publicly.

My deepest condolances to Nadia - I hope that we here can contribute in some way to help her with her loss.



It has taken me a while to give this sad and unexpected news a place.

How Richard Dunn influenced my life ...

I was hooked on music from an early age - the earliest memories I have are hearing The Beatles on the radio. Later I began to discover more sounds along with the intriguing and mysterious world of Hifi. As an impoverished student in the 80's I saw Nene Valley Audio amplifiers for the first time and was immediately impressed by the stark, utilitarian simplicity and solidity of the design,. They just looked and felt 'right'. As soon as I could, I bought one.

This amplifier was the foundation for my musical explorations into the worlds of Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical and all and everything in-between. Richard's amps could play any style of music and make it enjoyable, revealing the intention and energy of the performers, unfolding the subtle layers of recording and production.

There were loudspeakers as well. I was completely blown away by an early demonstration of the revolutionary Cube semi-omnidirectional design and that stayed with me as how great speakers should sound. It was 30 years later that I got hold of an abused second-hand set; with friendly help and encouragement from Richard, I was able to refurbish them myself and rediscover their magic.

I was sad to see NVA disappear from the Hifi scene in the 90's but pleasantly surprised to find them operating again as an internet direct-seller some five years ago. Joining the related HFS forum and falling-in with a group of like-minded eccentrics who all shared a passionate love of music.

Richard in direct contact was generous, friendly and helpful. As his forum alter-ego Dr Bunsen Honeydew he was outspoken, impatient and completely intolerant of fools. Refreshingly blunt. Venomously honest. You crossed him at your peril and he had the annoying habit of always being right.

Another side was his deep and penetrating spirituality. A master of Oriental energetic arts he would often surprise with insights and sensitivity.

I have learnt much from Richard on many levels and his greatest gift to me, and I believe many others, was allowing us better access to the joys of recorded music and blowing the cobwebs of commerciality away.

High Fidelity. That means a superior degree of loyalty, truthfulness and honesty. If anyone displayed those characteristics then it was certainly Richard Dunn.

Sorry to hear that, RIP

Utterly shocked. RIP.

NVA must continue somehow and speaking to others outiside of this forum community, the feeling comes across to me that the products are just right for so many music lovers who have had enough of 'HiFi' bling and harshness masquerading as 'DEEEEEtail!'

Good but sad to meet a few fellow forum bods yesterday. Hope this can be a new beginning...

Having been unable to attend the funeral, hopefully following my PM to him, Savvy was able to pass on my condolences. If not I hope Nadia is encouraged and comforted by the messages of support.

My only contact with Richard was through the forum and via a few phone calls when I had a some issues with the kit. Richard was always extremely helpful and pleasant over the phone although one conversation did illicit an expletive over his frustration with someone else but within seconds he was over it and back on our discussion.

I recently had a problem with the in my AP70SA I PM'd Richard to ask about returning the amp to have it checked over and he immediately identified the problem from my description of the fault, he suggested that I opened the amp and if it was possible for me to repair it myself he was happy for me to do so. If not I could send it back for repair. Fortunately it was a simple job which saved me quite a bit of time and money. With hindsight this might have been due to Richard's illness but it did have the effect of making me feel that I was a valued and trusted NVA customer.

I look forward to his legacy being continued by those who have been helping him with kit building recently and will miss him on the forum.

My Condolences to Nadia and Richard's friends and family. Glad to hear there are plans to continue NVA product. Richard will be much missed on this forum at least and in the hi-fi industry. Let's keep the flame burning by supporting HFS and NVA. We need to preserve affordable good sounding hi-fi product which is only underlined by the bling on display at shows and enormous price rises.