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Infinity RS1B ? Buy or runaway

I have an opportunity to buy a set of RS1B in excellent condition. They have been well taken care of and are very close to home. Years ago at a Stereophile show, I heard them, wow! The sound and their presence were fantastic! My fear is that like a lot of other things I look back on and lust after look ALOT greater in my memory than they actually perform. Given my current set up and room, I wanted to get some opinions about buying. Or will I be disappointed, maybe due to equipment or the room limitations? I don't think I would get rid of the Apogees unless the RS1B's surpass them in sound quality. Very nervous laying out over 4k for something that won't move quickly if I end up not enjoying them.
My room dimensions are 13' 9" X 25' (Converted garage)
All equipment is located on the front (13' 9") wall with an entry door at the front right corner. Listening position is approximately 13' from the front wall
Current equipment
VPI HW 19 MKIII
Rotel RSX1067 ( for HT)
Audio Research SP4 (lightly modded)
Audire Forte amps x 2 (bi-amp)
Apogee Caliper Signatures
McIntosh MVP891


drf24
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Have no fear listening to big speakers in a small room!
Back in the 1980's I bought a pair of Infinity RSIIa and used them in my tiny efficiency apt. (10'x 11') and LOVED them every minute!
If I would have had any sense I would have actually bought the RS I.
Currently I just bought a pair of Magnepan 20.7 for use in a room only 11' 7" side. I have no fear of using big speakers in too small rooms!
It is true they may have some constraints, but it is not going to slow down my enjoyment.
(reminds me of buying a sport car and driving in normal traffic. You do not require to own a race track next door to enjoy a sport car! same difference)
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phomchick's avatar
phomchick
141 posts
 
Another source for information--- Paul McGowen of PS Audio-- he was co-founder of Infinity along with late Arnie Nudell. 
John Ulrich was co-founder of Infinity with Arnie Nudell. 

Paul McGowan was co-owner with Nudell of Genesis. 

@drf24 - Have you got the RS1b system set up? If so, are you liking it? I bought a pair of RS1s last December and have been restoring and upgrading them to RS1b specs.
playthebody
10 posts
 
I was introduced to Bob Stadther by Paul McGowan. Bob is Pauls chief engineer  at PS Audio and is the responsible for the rebuild of the IRS V's that Paul uses as his current reference. I believe that Bob had access to Arnie Nudell and basically built the xovers that Arnie would have built with todays available parts/technology.  Well Bob did this complete redo for my RS1B's as well.  I am still getting and handle on the entire picture but so far I am extremely impressed with the dramatic improvements in virtually every parameter that i perceive. I will report further if anyone is interested as I spend more time with the system.
 
phomchick's avatar
phomchick
141 posts
 
@playthebody - that's a very interesting post!
When I started rebuilding my RS1s I traded an email or two with Paul McGowan, and he said, based on advice from Arnie, they used Mundorf capacitors in the IRS V rebuild. He didn't specify which series, so I used MKP (M-Cap) series caps. I replaced all of the NPE capacitors with films, and replaced most of the existing film caps in the crossover with Mundorfs.  I also used two larger value Solens (but I bypassed them with Mundorfs).

I would be interested in corresponding with Bob Stadther if you wouldn't mind introducing me. If would be fun to find out how close my rebuilt crossovers are to yours.
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