IN MEMORIAM: HIDEAKI NISHIKAWA
Julie Mullins
Celebrated audio designer and mechanical engineer Hideaki Nishikawa, best known for designing TechDAS Air Force turntables, has passed away at age 81. Stereophile received the news in a statement from Zephyrn Inc., the high-end audio equipment company he started in 2001, under which he launched TechDAS as a house brand in 2010.
According to prior information from Zephyrn Inc. (as reported in Industry Update in the November 2022 issue), Nishikawa remained active as an adviser at Stella Group after retiring from his CEO role in August 2022. He continued to lead design projects. A (slightly edited) portion of the statement follows:
It is with great sadness that Stella Inc. and Zephyrn Inc. announce that our mentor, colleague, and former CEO Hideaki Nishikawa passed away on the morning of June 28, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He had been receiving medical treatment after suffering from respiratory failure. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.
Hideaki was an accomplished and visionary designer as well as a talented entrepreneur. He co-founded Stellavox Japan (current Stella Inc.) as an importer/distributor of high-end audio components to Japan in 1989. Under the TechDAS brand, he developed and designed several award-winning analog turntables, including the acclaimed Air Force turntable series. His statement Air Force Zero turntable premiered in 2019 and fulfilled his lifetime dream of realizing the ultimate record reproduction without compromise. His passion, energy, and ambition for his vocation always inspired and encouraged us to work toward the same goal.
Hideaki had a very cheerful and open-minded nature with generosity and warmth. He loved traveling to meet his many friends in the audio community across the world. He was loved and respected by his friends
