A.J. Conti of Basis Audio has passed away.

You have to be kidding, was he sick or was this a sudden heart attack or aneurysm? I have had many beautiful long conversations with him on the phone and the last one about a month ago. He really had precise knowledge on the engineering side of things. I will surly miss him. Does anyone know if there is someone else who will take over and run the company?

Massive heart attack.  Basis Audio website  posted  details about the status of the company.

Hello Jeff. I agree A.J. will be missed and he will be missed on multiple levels bigtime. I liked your mention of precise knowledge as precise and precision indeed and in part defined him and the wonderful turntables and tonearms he produced.

Per your questions: yes, there are people taking over Basis Audio and A.J. always a health nut had an unexpected and massive heart attack. For mention of these details see the Basis Facebook page and Michael Fremer's website with links to below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Basis-Audio-Inc/179180802164059

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/rip-armando-aj-conti  

It sucks.
He wasn't overweight, but in weak physical shape

This is a huge loss for analog turntable lovers. AJ was a brilliant designer who focused on precision and sound in the design of his his excellent turntables. I've owned several Debuts in the last twenty  five years or so and they have brought great pleasure.

He was a gentleman too, and very patient with endless questions about all things analog. 

Very, very sad.