Paul Grzybek Tube Audio Design Passing


Today I tried sending Paul an email today. The returned response was we are saddened that Paul can not get in contact with you. I did a internet search and found he passed away back in May. He had done some work for me on a Fisher 400 and I also purchased one of his Hot rodded 400's. He will be missed.

He was only 48
johnhifi
I'd also like to add this:

If I remember correctly, he left a job at GE where he was one of the lead engineers (Senior Electronic Engineer-III) to pursue his love of audio gear and to share it with folks like us. To think that after 30 years of being an engineer he chose to make our lives better. I can't think of higher praise.

All the best,
Nonoise
Thanks nonoise for that tidbit of information. Can't understand why, but I have been feeling kind of cheated not knowing more about his life and background. Was hoping to gain some insight from the obit, but, as I said before, it was minimal.
Wow, this was a shock to read. I had spoken with him in person several times over the years and still use almost daily one of his hot rodded Fisher 400's. He was a real gentleman and talented engineer.
For many years, Paul ran a little store on School street in Naperville, Illinois by the North Central College campus. He called it the "Bizzy Bee". Google Bizzy bee and you will still find references to the store. You can even see a picture of it if you are handy with google maps and street view. The front of the store was rows of bins of used cds bought from and sold mostly to the college kids. Paul worked in a very small area in back behind the cash register counter. He bought and sold cds and repaired vacuum cleaners of all things. He then switched from vacuums to tube electronics which he would purchase from ebay, refurbish and resell. He preferred Fisher receivers, particularly the 400 where he designed a hot rod version and the 500C. Agoners always mention his great customer service. I would stop by the store frequently to BS. I quickly learned that there was no sense hanging around if the phone rang from a customer or a prospective customer. He would spend what seemed like hours chatting. About 10 years ago, the cd business started drying up as the kids downloaded more and more music and Paul said repairs took too much time versus selling price. He started searching Chinese companies for electronics he could modify and sell under what became Tube Audio Design. He soon closed the Bizzy Bee store and moved the business to his home in Wheaton. No sense paying rent for a workshop. I did not see Paul after he closed the store, but I would occasionally send him links that I found discussing his products. He would respond with long chatty emails. Most recently, I chided him about returning to Fisher repair. He said he knew the current recession was starting before everyone else as his sales of new equipment had all but dried up. I did not know of his passing until this forum. I'll miss him.
Thanks Zmrs13, so nice to hear a little bit more about him. It personifies him in my mind. I can see him behind the counter at Bizzy Bee. Anyone else have something to share? Lets use this forum to celebrate his short life and audio accomplishments.