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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.
128x128harris4crna
bvdiman
491 posts
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnQ7MzjOotE

Congrats Harris4crna! They sure look beautiful and sounded great.. Even the smaller ones too are nice. I used to own Strads for couple of years. Make sure to post some pics and impressions.. Enjoy!
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Harris - AFAIK, Franco Serblin setup the company with his son-in-law, who before joining forces with Franco, run the company Yter (cable manufacturer) for many years. The fact is that he was running the company single handedly for almost a year, as Franco was already very ill for quite some time. I see no reason why they should close their doors in the near future.
suntrapak
5 posts
 
I have the Ktema's. Over the past 20 years I have owned a number of his speakers and loved them all. During those years I also had a number of other speakers from different manufacturers and always returned to Franco's designs. For the first time EVER have I found a loudspeaker that I will keep forever. It is unlike anything I've ever heard in my home or a hifi shop. For those of you considering a pair but concerned about driver availability in the future I understand but there is risk in everything. My dealer seems to be fairly confident that replacement drivers will be available for some time and that the company will continue.
harris4crna's avatar
harris4crna OP
124 posts
 
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.....
suntrapak
5 posts
 
Harris4crna, Congratulations!! I am currently using a Burmester 036. Am happy to share any detailed information.... I will be auditioning an Einstein Audio offering as a matter of interest as I understand that Franco used one with the Ktema's and want to hear what he heard from that amp (recognizing it will not be exactly the same based on room etc) but am curious about synergy. Regarding placement, I think they are far less forgiving of slim clearance to side walls than rear walls in both of my rooms. Additionally, in my rooms they like as much space as I can give them between speakers. They like silver wire or wire that has silver as a component alloy in my system/room. I am currently auditioning pre/power to find the best match and will update you, if you like, on current findings and the auditions completed to date. Happy listening....
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