Please forgive the spelling errors. Typed it on my Ipad. I think you get the point.
Franco Serblin R.I.P. What happens to Ktema?
Again, my heart goes out to his family and his legacy. I have had the opportunity to listen to both the Ktema and Stadivari side by side. I came to listen to the Strads since i was thinking about purchasing them. The owner insisted i listen to the Ktemas, so i said OK. I attached my modest simaudio 600i integrated and played Traci Chapman. Wow, i immediately heard the separation, the dynamic soundstage and even the precise base. Truly, i felt the sound was a bit bright, but i understand these particular speakers have not been broken in yet. My girlfriend which has no audiophile background nor listen to much music said, the sound is no longer muffled in comparison to the Strads. So i turned to the owner and stated, "by you playing the Ktemas, i no longer want the Strads, unfortunately i cannot afford the Ktemas" needless to say i walked away empty handed, but i really are considering the Ktemas.
So i sit wondering, what will happen to company following the passing of FS? Are the Ktemas limited? Should i think about the availability of replacement parts in the future?
Any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated.
So i sit wondering, what will happen to company following the passing of FS? Are the Ktemas limited? Should i think about the availability of replacement parts in the future?
Any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Showing 27 responses by harris4crna
Yes, this is a great review. I can be witnessed to exactly what the reviewer stated about the Ktema. What is great about this review are the pictures of the Ktema standing next to my current speakers, the SF Cremona Ms. The size is perfect, the sound is great, the price is expensive, LOL. My Simaudio 600I seems to do ok with Ktema, but I can tell these speakers like more power. I have to ramp it to a exponential level to get the bass response that I am looking for. How perfect it would be for my little 600I to run these flawlessly. Truth is I am not content with the Cremona, so might as well eat some Top Ramen for the next year and pay for these. Just wanted to know more about the warranty, and what the future holds for these speakers. |
Just sent an email to both David Lewis Audio and the authorized dealer here in Italy. I requested a letter from the company stating my warranty will be good and replacement parts will be available in the future. Thank you. This is exactly the response I am looking for prior to purchasing these speakers. |
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/francoserblin/4.html Serblin's newest speaker is a four-way five-drivers design with two 230mm modified Scan-Speak woofers. These hidden drivers fire against the rigid rear baffle and deflect their emissions through vertical slots. The cabinet otherwise is sealed and not ported. There are similar breathing slots close to the sides of the two 100mm coated paper mid/woofers with metal phase plugs which release the internal air pressure. These paralleled mids loaded into a separate chamber are equipped with rigid moulded baskets and large motors. The tweeter is a coated Scan-Speak D2905 silk dome which Serblin views as the best transducer Ragnar Lian has designed who counts as one of the most famous driver designers alive. This tweeter is equipped with a non-resonant rear chamber. Ktema uses same tweeter as the Armati Futuro and SF GUARNERI EVOLUTION |
Spoke to the manafacture in Germany today. He stated the production line is stable, warranty will be honored and service granted. Unfortunately, the states will not honor the warranty if bought overseas, which in my eyes is a bunch of bull. Very similar to Sumiko not honoring warranties from overseas. The manafacture stated FS is coming out with a third speaker which lies between the other two in the future. True, im taking a chance on a specialty item and never know may get burned, but at least i am going in with my eyes open. Been told by three different authorized dealers and the manafacture that i am safe and making a great purchase. I will let you know how it goes. |
Suntrapak, Elberoth, Bvdiman: i am really happy with my purchase. Just was not happy with the Cremona M's. i needed a full dynamic sound and I believe i found it. Unbelievably my Simaudio 600i feeds the Ktemas just fine, but i know the speakers would like more power to run the lower end at low listening levels. Suntrapak, if you don't mind me asking, what are you using to power your Ktemas? Any advice in regards to best sound, placement, packing etc..... |
Milimetr, I must have overlooked your post. Yes, I agree with you. I verified by three different sources FS company is going no where and live and well. I too heard they are coming out with a speaker that will fall between the Ktema and the Accordo. In addition, the Ktema is by far the best speaker i have ever heard and i also did an A/B comparison with the Strads. The seller here in Italy knows Massimiliano personally and stated no worries. FS may have been the designer and the name behind the product, but it was he that managed the business and the production. Just curious, what are you using to power the Ktemas? Any advice to a new owner how to best utilize these speakers? Take care Shawn |
Milimetr, Thank you, great advice. My current setup is very temporary. The Ktema will be packed and shipped in the next couple weeks. I am moving back to the US from Italy. I will definitely take your suggestions. I have not spent much time listening to tubes and prior to make my next big upgrade, I surely will. My SimAudio 600I currently is doing fine and will need to until I save my pennies for the next purchase. As far as wiring, I am currently using Transparent and again, it seems to be working just fine. When I get to my new place and get everything set up I will surely update the thread and may have more questions. Thank you |
Tboooe, have not listened to the Accordos, sorry. Although found great article reviewing the Accordos. http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/francoserblin2/1.html I feel this may answer all your questions minus taking the plunge to review them yourself. As the article states, right amplifier is key which goes inline with the Ktemas. My simaudio 600i works well, but lacks the punch at low volumes. Other articles have a much favorable outlook, but the polish like there culture tell it like it is. Hope this helps. |
Tbooe, had the opportunity recently to listen to the Accordos in San Diego on my last visit to the states, wow!!!! I happened to be trying out a new VPI Classic TT and requested the Accordos to be used for the trial since i own the Ktemas. Very impressed, loved the decor of the Accordos and highly recommend if willing to pay the 12,000 price. |
Tabooe, Just answered your thread on your system, but did not realize we have been conversing here. Agree with Mr_M, stereo unlimited is the place and Bruce is great. Just bought my 3rd TT from him, the VPI Classic. Did you get the chance to listen to the Accordos? Ill have my Ktemas set up hopefully by the end of the month. Still waiting for my household goods to arrive from Italy. I currently live in Hanford California. I cannot wait. Tell me what you think of the Accordos. |
When first auditioned in Italy I thought they were bright also, but the soundstage was amazing. I brought my amp to the audition. I took a gamble and figured they needed to be played for a bit to settle in. I was 100% correct. Settled in and amazing. I continue to audition other speakers and still nothing compares. I'm still novice and have no doubt others compare, but for me this speaker will be buried with me. Now, I'm in the market for a new amp. Efficient on mid and hi, but my simaudio integrated wont push the low end how I want. |
@sksos , that is great to hear. My Ktemas is my longest lasting piece of stereo equipment in my system. Purchased in a Italy in 2011. These will be buried with me. They are a finicky speaker, and it took time for me to find the right amp to drive them, but when I did they are magical.
What has been your experience?
glad to see this thread revived. |
Bricasti M25 seems to.be a popular amp for sure. What I've read it's a clean, analytical and detailed sounding amp. Of course, I've never heard it. I'm primarily listening to the Ktemas using a Italian brand Synthesis A40. This is only a recent change within the past month. Prior, for the past decade I drove the Ktemas with Accuphase A70. I have no doubt the Air Tight amp did wonders. I know I read Franco himself used tubes for his own system.
I really have not heard Ktemas outside of my system. I have heard the Accordos on a few occasions over the years. I saw the Essence in Tokyo in November, but the Japanese are not so willing to allow auditions unless willing to buy. Although, the Ktemas they did have on hand were serial number 001. Wonder how they got their hands on the first edition. Mine is serial.# 075, so still early stock. After multiple moves around the world, they are starting to show some age. Strings are losing it's elasticity and smudges on the chrome, but they are still singing without issues after 11 years. They are really well built for sure. |