Infinity RS1B ? Buy or runaway

@playthebody

Thank you! Do the crossovers still fit in the base, or did you end up with an external crossover box like PS Audio did with the IRS Vs?

@phomchick:

·       All printed circuit construction

·       Mundorf M-Cap capacitors on tweeter circuits

·       Jantzen  Crosscap capacitors on midrange circuits

·       Jantzen P-Core for iron core inductors

·       16AWG Foil for air core inductors

·       Rheostats replaced with step attenuators using metal film resistors

·       PS Audio binding posts

·       Terminal blocks for connection to existing wires

The sound is quite amazing. Apologies for the delayed response

I own RS1b's and they are still amazing speakers if driven correctly. They need both power and finesse. I use Manley Neo-Classic 250 mono's for the mid/hi and 300w Classe mono's for the bass. The preamp is the Manley Steelhead. I use outboard Mundorf caps rather than the high-pass caps built into the servo (value I've selected calculated by the amplifiers input impedance) that makes a massive difference to sound quality. My RS1b are the same pair as were passively displayed at the Penta Hotel hifi exhibition way back when. 

@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.

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.
 

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.

Nice. Enjoy! Be careful with room treatments.  IMO rs1bs sound much better with no absorbing treatments directly behind the mid-tweeter panels. I highly recommend tubes to power the mid-high and SS for the woofers. 

A quick update, I went ahead and bought the RS1B's, scared the heck out of me doing so. It is the most money I have ever put into a piece of equipment! I usually buy high-end audio gear in need of repair to keep it affordable, but I couldn't pass these up because they were so well taken care of. Now I just need to tear out that wall, move that door 6' and install some acoustic panels and I will be ready to listen to them! Well maybe not that drastic but I will need to move and situate some things to get them set up. Thanks for all of the opinions and advice, greatly appreciated!

Have the rs1b's and rs2b's in house. Bought the 2bs new in the 80s and 1bs in 2004.  I have had many speakers over the years and auditioned many others in house but have yet to hear anything at anywhere near the price that can make my hair stand on end like either of the 2 pairs I own. 

Yes they are older and may require recaps...but I have found that even with that cost in mind, they are worth it to me. Bob S. at PS audio has a complete redo of the mid-tweeter xover that is on my agenda this month.

I will say that the 2bs are easier to position in most rooms.  But once properly positioned in the right room...the 1bs with the right ancillary equipment are breathtaking.

There are a lot of people here with an opionion who have never heard these or have no idea the pedigree of these speakers.  I can assure you if these speakers are in good condition then these are not over priced.  I own the INFINITY RS IIIb I purchased new in 1986 for $1200/pr.  I've had the crossovers recapped  and refoamed.  I also own and the succession to Infinity,  the Genesis 2.2 Jr speakers purchased new in 2012 for $102,000 and the Genesis G300 I purchased new in 1999 for $25,000.  I'd love to have the Holy Grail-- Genesis 1.2's. They're $350,000+; depending on the finish.  Carbon fiber I believe are ~500,000.  You can call Gary Koh, the current owner of Genesis.  My speakers all sound excellent.  They all have they're faults.  My point---  you cannot go wrong with any of these.  You can find used G300's for ~$6,000.  There is a guy on EBay who refurbishes the RSIB & RSII's--- he's out of Bowling Green, KY.  They're in the 5,000 range- he will tell you he likes the infinity over Genesis.  I would agree to a degree; I guess that's why I can't & won't part with mine.  One thing-  you will want good gear with this stuff- no integrated here.  Annie Nudell's intent with his line of RS speakers-  the best realistic sound at an affordable price.  His intent with the IRS V and Genesis-  best sound regardless of cost.  It's all about your ear and budget.  I can assure you you can't go wrong.  You are on the right path.  Another source for information--- Paul McGowen of PS Audio--  he was co-founder of Infinity along with late Arnie Nudell.  

Unless you have a real technical ability to take care of these, run. If you feel comfortable working on these,  you need to be below $2000.  I'd rather see $1500

Realize that when you first heard the RS1B’s they were in new condition and likely demo’ed under optimal conditions by Stereophile, ie. room and equipment.

The RS1B’s were introduced in 1982 so even if all the drivers are in perfect condition, the internal capacitor components and servo internals are now over 35 years old. Infinity used LOTS of electrolytic capacitors in ALL their speakers which after 35 years need replacing. Do you know if someone has already refurbished the speakers? If so, I would view that as a NEGATIVE not a positive because you never know what exactly was done, right or wrong.

You don’t just buy Infinity vintage speakers like these, you marry or adopt them. Are you up to that?

And finally, in the research I did on vintage Infinities I noticed a lot of lukewarm comments on the RS1B’s because generally they were not held in very high regard compared to the other models in the upper end of the Infinity line.

If you want to go vintage Infinity that are not too old, have outstanding sound, with readily available parts and are easy to flip if/when you want to sell them I would start searching for Infinity Renaissance 90’s. They are probably the best Infinity bang for the buck. Want to go higher end and still have the Infinity sound? Then I would recommend jumping up into the Genesis Speaker line which Arnie Nudell formed after he sold Infinity so Genesis also has that big open Infinity Sound. Only downside is everyone knows this so prices are much higher.

I feel that Infinity is generally higher quality than most of Polk's stuff of recent decades, at least to my ears.  But, spend more, even on used higher quality gear.  In the end you will be happier, while having spent a little more once or twice, instead of much more over several purchases.  I wish I had been given that advice many years ago.  Save up.  Don't settle too easily, even though we all balance quality with budget, unless we are rich.  In the end, settling to easily is a waste of money, and enjoyment.  My hearing is not that good, especially in one ear.  I was actually prescribed hearing aids, and I really need them in some situations.  Too much loud construction work, and a terrible ear infection when I was a kid.  I can't express how much quality sound means to me.  I would not waste another minute listening to a low-quality system, and you will regret doing so if you settle too easily.  I read books for the quality of the writing, not just the story, and I listen to music for the quality of the sound, not just the melody.

I had the RS1-B(s) for a number of years. They were interesting with respect to their sonic and visual impact in a room. I used both solid state and/or tube electronics. I did some tweaking which made a positive difference. Since then I have had a few other speakers and currently have found my final set in the Dunlavy SC-5(s). The difference between the older RS1-B(s) and the Dunlavy(s), is at least an order of magnitude.

There are many really fine speakers out there in this price range which are much better in virtually every way. My advice is to take the time to get acquainted with newer high end speakers and buy used. There's lots of good guidance found on this website.

Pass , so many great, repeat great used speakers for 4k

$4000 is too much. I bought a mint pair from Brooks Berdan in the late-90's for $2000.

This is a tough call. I had an RS1-B system for years until Infinity replaced it with the IRS Beta, which is a much better system. Still, the RS-1B is no slouch. $4k seems like a steep price, though, even if it's in very good shape. Is the x-over/servo included in the price and does it work properly? If not, I'd walk away.

You might also want to consider that if you get the RS-1B, you'll need to upgrade some of your other gear to get the best out of it, especially your preamp. If you need parts in the future - other than refoaming the woofers - you should know they are rather rare and pricey.