Red MacKay Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Big Nik has left us and gone to join the SET Gods. He passed away early this morning. Condolences to his wife and two lads. I loved going into his shop in Brunswick St all those years ago. It was always full of great sounding gear. Early Cary, VPI and Tannoys of course! Nik was the one responsible for getting my audio feet firmly planted into single ended triodes and WE300Bs. He always had interesting records and CDs to browse. I spent many hours in there, with him always playing the smart arse - but he was usually right... Many thanks for the memories Nikolai. Edited November 21, 2020 by Red MacKay spelling 7 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 A legend in Melbourne. That’s very sad. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenticularis Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 If it's the same Nik I recall (originally from Slovenia), he was someone who was always up for a chat. I bought quite a few things from him some 15 years ago. I flew his two sons in separate glider flights from Bacchus Marsh in early 2006 and he was clearly a devoted father. I liked the man and I'm sorry to read of his passing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Prowse Hi-Fi Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Dealt with Nik a few times - he loved to chat! Are the family members involved in the business at all? (as in, is it continuing on?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinm1 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 just read on another post; gil matthews from aztec music said if it wasnt for nic aztec music would not be here today he went onto saying nic gave him the use of a 3rd floor of a building to run his business he also paid the electic ect !!! so free everything for over 3 years bit of a legend 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telecine Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Very sad news, my condolences to his family. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted November 21, 2020 Volunteer Share Posted November 21, 2020 Dealt with Nik many times over the years. This is very sad indeed 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green messiah Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Very sad to hear of NICs passing -loved going into his shop. Recall him playing Mississippi John Hurt through Almarro tube amp and his big Amber speakers. Sounded like a decent version of hi fi heaven to me! Very welcoming and generous hearted. Am still using his heavy duty speaker cable. Slan go foill big Nic! Edited November 21, 2020 by green 'n red Misspelling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Aah, yes indeed - rip, Nic. Another classic no longer with us. (@djb - now you need to get Vanarm to tell you which way round the (damaged) rectifier diode fits into its socket on your Cornet 2. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordute Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 RIP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooogh Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 An absolute legend of a man. Nic was a true individual with a wicked sense of humour and a great intellect. Audiophile was a Melbourne institution. I liked him more every time I met him. I will never forget the hospitality he showed my wife and I in my last encounter, what a great fun filled afternoon we spent talking all things political and musical upstairs at the shop. His treatment of my wife as an equal in musical appreciation spoke volumes to me. Time to break out those mighty Cary 805s @Red MacKay that Nik so generously pointed my direction and play a song for the big man. This news truly saddens me. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berkel Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Sad news indeed. Like others, I also made many visits to the Brunswick hi fi emporium, and it was always difficult to get away ,not only from the equipment, but from Nik's entertaining discussions. I also remember his wife being a very pleasant lady. Condolences to his family. Dennis 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwizzle Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Heard the new last night, very sad indeed. Fond memories of dropping in for a brief visit only to leave 3 hours later... every time. RIP Nick 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattd2308 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Sad news indeed, would drop in their occasionally back in the 90's and 00's. Would be up for a chat and peruse over his Teac VRDS cd players etc, (Not the garden Kmart variety) of the time, all premium Japanese gear. His Amber components and Counterpoint speakers. Remember buying Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run on the Sony "Super bit mapping" edition in the hardcover booklet type format. Last time there bought my Grado headphones. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirdDrawerDown Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 This is utterly awful news. It fills me with sorrow. Nik was kind, generous, patient, passionate about his work and a genuine music lover first and foremost before being a hifi retailer. His favourite guitarist was Chris Spedding and he rated the Penguin Cafe Orchestra's Simon Jeffes as the most talented musician he had ever seen. Those are views you'd get only if you really knew your music. Another aspect of Nik is he didn't have time for time-wasters, so more than a few tyre-kickers found themselves unwelcome at Audiophile. But if you were genuinely naive and willing to listen he was the best mentor. I was that naive listener and Nik's passing leaves a big affectionate funny generous kind caring Nik-shaped hole. As was truly said above, a legend of a man. He leaves the world a better but lesser place. Condolences to family from both my wife and I. Thank you Nik for 15 years of your generous spirit freely given. 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Knew Nik from the Industry. Use to sell a bit of his Amber kit from time to time. A real enthusiast, just like Joe. RIP Nik, you will be deeply missed in this community. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Poort Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 (edited) Very sad to hear this. Spent many hours talking with Nik over the years, a very generous soul. As a young audiophile in my late teens and early twenties he was one of the few store owners who never looked down at me and had all time in the world to talk music and audio. Many years later (2000) i purchased a pair of Tannoy Westminsters from him and he allowed me to pay them off over a period of time. One time in the shop i was checking out a pair of Quad ESL 63 he had just finished restoring and he asked me if I'd ever heard them, nope i replied, so Nik insisted on me loaning them for a month or two, we packed them up and put them in the back of my wagon that day. I also remember hanging out upstairs (above shop) and marveling at his amazing record collection. I noticed a very rare 3 Box set of Frank Zappa LP's. and we chatted about our love for Zappa. Soon after, as i was leaving he came downstairs with the box sets in his arms and insisted that i have them for free as i was "obviously " a bigger fan than he was. I distinctly remember being overwhelmed emotionally by his kindness. Nik gave me a quick pat on the back and said "i know you will enjoy them more than me Rob" RIP Nik. Edited November 23, 2020 by rob spelling 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McP Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Very sad news indeed. Had many lively and fun discussions with him! I used to bring in latest issues of Sound Practices and horn designs for him to peruse. He always had time to demo his latest offerings. I was even invited upstairs, late 90's from memory to hear a pair of mbl omni - directionals ($45k) http://www.mbl.de/?lang=en RIP Nik 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stabiloboss Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Vale Nik. Will never forget his humour and generosity of spirit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foryou Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denimhunter Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Bye bye big guy, now spread the virtue of SET wherever u maybe. Nikolai’s funeral service: http://zapaproductions.com.au/Jsh92/the-late-nikola-matovinovic/?fbclid=IwAR2sdaGfn3YwYkHBHrLQpnqZ4sEap_N8C8oJXGQDkERjKYniY0bKR6fB1yQ 5 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemarquis Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 Vale Nikola 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maynard Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 Sad sad news indeed. I showed interest at the shop one day in the amber se/12s, only could’nt afford them. he said, “you can have them for $3800 right now”! Less than half price! I got them and have enjoyed these amazing speakers daily for years now, and occasionally we would have a great phone chat. such an amazingly generous and knowledgeable man and such fun to talk to. So sad to hear this news. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidletch Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Vale Nik. Heard the news last night. Such a generous person. He opened my eyes and ears to some amazing gear and gave me some amazing deals on Cary, VPI and so on. Spent many hours just talking. Years later when I brought my kids to the shop he immediately gave them records. Will be sorely missed 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GoingForward Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Just found out about Nik's passing. Like many spent a lot of time at Nik's shop & his home talking, listening to Tannoys and Almarro amps. He was a very influential mentor to me in the world of sound. He will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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