Thread: Infinity IRS V

That's gorgeous! I would love to hear that system. I've been think about ribbons a bit lately, but more along the lines of Nolas.

I wonder what he will upgrade to?

I was offered a pair for $12,000 five years ago. I was afraid they were too big for my current room and did not to want put them storage for gosh knows how long. I heard them at HPs twice and at Bill Legalls once. Bill rebuilt his pair, they sounded like being at a concert, the scale was off the charts.

Originally Posted by puroagave

if all the ribbons were rebuilt, that cost is prob half his asking price or more. I looked into rebuilding the ribbons for a pr of RS1Bs it it was lofty. Upgrade? at that level he's a tail chaser like many of us...i've made so many lateral and backward moves over the years to know we're all just nuts

I hear ya, Rob. I'm very happy with my S5s (not everyone's cuppa, I know), I don't know why I need to look at anything else. But yet I do...

Originally Posted by Peter Breuninger

I was offered a pair for $12,000 five years ago. I was afraid they were too big for my current room and did not to want put them storage for gosh knows how long. I heard them at HPs twice and at Bill Legalls once. Bill rebuilt his pair, they sounded like being at a concert, the scale was off the charts.

You're killing me, Peter...

I bet they'd still fair well compared to modern speakers...

Allen - you have the room for these beauties! Go for it.

They are gorgeous, aren't they?

Who ever buys them I have a pair of QLS for rear channel . it would take a big wide room

Originally Posted by bzr

....S5's for sale ......

Ha!

Beautiful speakers! Hummm

RonR makes a good point I know the IRS V showed up on the scene in the late 70s but I do not know how long they stayed in production. They got a lot of press and a lot of people know this speaker by sight few have heard it. With only 39 pair built it made a big impression . I was thinking their would have been a lot more than 39 pair.

Keeping gear of that age running is not going to be easy parts are harder to find every year.

The listing has been pulled from ebay nothing to buy now.

Originally Posted by RonR

I recall that Gary reported that there is an integrated circuit in the servo controller or the woofer amplifier (I can't remember which) which goes bad and for which there is no current replacement.

Yes but there are people who build completely new and better servos for the RS1b and IRS. That servo,wasn't the highlight of the speaker. My good friend and colleague had his redone years ago and you didn't need a one speaker trial replete with 100 charts and diagrams to hear the difference. nor any shills.

I'd be more worried about the shape of the ribbons.

So it will add a little more cost but then again this is a classic speaker in the classic sense. I didn't remember that only 39 were made but I heard 6 pairs (and helped set up two pairs) in the NY area including HP's. The IRS still sets standards for a full range speaker (very few speakers if any can move the air that the IRS does and bring music to life) and resolution. The IRS because of its revealing nature does more than any speaker require the best in associated electronics and front-end components. You will not get away with entry level electronics nor a crappy front-end. The IRS also were back then partial to tubes. Whether they still do with current ss electronics is an open question.

They also need the right room; I heard one pair set in a room with flexing walls and no matter the owner did, there was no midbass. I heard them at HPs and they worked in the small room with it's thick wall and near field listening and they also worked in the big main room.

One might also look for a pair of Betas; Paul's new pair sounded mighty impressive.

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Yes but there are people who build completely new and better servos for the RS1b and IRS. That servo,wasn't the highlight of the speaker. My good friend and colleague had his redone years ago and you didn't need a one speaker trial replete with 100 charts and diagrams to hear the difference. nor any shills.

I'd be more worried about the shape of the ribbons.

So it will add a little more cost but then again this is a classic speaker in the classic sense. I didn't remember that only 39 were made but I heard 6 pairs (and helped set up two pairs) in the NY area including HP's. The IRS still sets standards for a full range speaker (very few speakers if any can move the air that the IRS does and bring music to life) and resolution. The IRS because of its revealing nature does more than any speaker require the best in associated electronics and front-end components. You will not get away with entry level electronics nor a crappy front-end. The IRS also were back then partial to tubes. Whether they still do with current ss electronics is an open question.

They also need the right room; I heard one pair set in a room with flexing walls and no matter the owner did, there was no midbass. I heard them at HPs and they worked in the small room with it's thick wall and near field listening and they also worked in the big main room.

One might also look for a pair of Betas; Paul's new pair sounded mighty impressive.

Myles the 39 figure is not one I am sure of I have seen 3 pair for sale in the last few years and I was not even looking for them. Seems unlikely that 10 percent were for sale.

How does the Garys biggest model compare to the old legend I know you have not reviewed it but what do you hear people saying.

Has to liking tubes I have the QLS Infinity the baby brother I first drove them with solid state two Mc 2205 then with a Conrad Johnson P1 then with the conrad on top and the 2205 on the bottom they were a bit bright with the solid state of that day. I tried them briefly with my ayre MXR and that was the best yet. I wonder what a pair of the big boys would cost to build today and what the retail would be. Also would they stand up to the great speakers that are out their today.

Seeing a big set of infinities for sale is a great day dream but a little low on the practical scale . Some times the past is the past for those with the talent and the desire to restore them good for you. New gear can be a pain Vintage can be the same pain times 10.

Originally Posted by Garth

Myles the 39 figure is not one I am sure of I have seen 3 pair for sale in the last few years and I was not even looking for them. Seems unlikely that 10 percent were for sale.

How does the Garys biggest model compare to the old legend I know you have not reviewed it but what do you hear people saying.

Not really anything Garth. I know Gary is working on getting a dealer in the NY area and hopefully this fall will get to hear his speakers set up some where's other than a show.

On another site Gary is saying in 2013 they are 300,000 that is no small buy odd they do not seem to get reviewed or I missed any review.

Originally Posted by Garth

On another site Gary is saying in 2013 they are 300,000 that is no small buy odd they do not seem to get reviewed or I missed any review.

Does Gary provide a graph with bars and stars to substantiate his claim?

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Does Gary provide a graph with bars and stars to substantiate his claim?

Not just the Bengal who likes a saucer of cream

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

Yes but there are people who build completely new and better servos for the RS1b and IRS. That servo,wasn't the highlight of the speaker. My good friend and colleague had his redone years ago and you didn't need a one speaker trial replete with 100 charts and diagrams to hear the difference. nor any shills.

I'd be more worried about the shape of the ribbons.

So it will add a little more cost but then again this is a classic speaker in the classic sense. I didn't remember that only 39 were made but I heard 6 pairs (and helped set up two pairs) in the NY area including HP's. The IRS still sets standards for a full range speaker (very few speakers if any can move the air that the IRS does and bring music to life) and resolution. The IRS because of its revealing nature does more than any speaker require the best in associated electronics and front-end components. You will not get away with entry level electronics nor a crappy front-end. The IRS also were back then partial to tubes. Whether they still do with current ss electronics is an open question.

They also need the right room; I heard one pair set in a room with flexing walls and no matter the owner did, there was no midbass. I heard them at HPs and they worked in the small room with it's thick wall and near field listening and they also worked in the big main room.

One might also look for a pair of Betas; Paul's new pair sounded mighty impressive.

I guess our buddy AL will have to call you for help with those and the Betas when the time comes and it seems to be approching fast.

I have heard the Gen 1.1 with upgraded X-Over in Holland driven by Kondo and Fronted by Trinity.

Absolutely world class setup. Unbridled power and delicate finesse. That setup has the Tripoint Emperor Grounding box.

The thing is, the same room on the other side now has the Tidal L'Assoluta driven by Kondo amps, with Zanden spinner, GG SE Dac, Lampi DSD Komputer (insanelyly maxxed out Server) Tripoint Troy and not yet optimised cabling. Hoping to go hear that in a month or 2 and cottrast with System 1 detailed above. I cant think of a more salivatory room and am glad the owner is a pal and is gracious enough to invite me back for round 2. He is a gentleman and a scholar!

Indeed...

The new Genesis sound amazing. Heard them in HK

They are no longer on Agon. Anyone know if they sold?

Bump ..! @ Jay

Nostalgia is strong with the Infinity IRS Vs. I know the gentleman who sold them and I didn't hear them in his room before he sold them some years back (they were disconnected and in a corner). I recall they did have some upgrades to the newer / better Xover components, maybe woofer amps too. I also heard the IRS V about 15 years ago. They sound effortless and big as one would expect but I forget the details of the sound being so many years ago (plus what to compare to at the time, I had Carver Amazings). I do recall asking my friend how they sounded as he had moved onto Wilson Alexandria XLFs and he said while the IRS V sounded big, bold, beautiful they didn't have the level of resolution of the Wilsons. I also recall him thinking they were a bit too big for his room which was 18 x 25 x 10 and seeing them in person I think he was right.

Originally Posted by sb6

Nostalgia is strong with the Infinity IRS Vs. I know the gentleman who sold them and I didn't hear them in his room before he sold them some years back (they were disconnected and in a corner). I recall they did have some upgrades to the newer / better Xover components, maybe woofer amps too. I also heard the IRS V about 15 years ago. They sound effortless and big as one would expect but I forget the details of the sound being so many years ago (plus what to compare to at the time, I had Carver Amazings). I do recall asking my friend how they sounded as he had moved onto Wilson Alexandria XLFs and he said while the IRS V sounded big, bold, beautiful they didn't have the level of resolution of the Wilsons. I also recall him thinking they were a bit too big for his room which was 18 x 25 x 10 and seeing them in person I think he was right.

Yea much different sound vs XLF , requires technical setup, when done so , its very much a match for the XLF’s ......



Regards