Don’t see these on the market very often!

engie490

Paul McGowan is selling his Infinity IRS-Vs! Only $70K!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/428778736181703/?ref=browse_tab

JayCee

No, not often, and McGowan's are the definitive set on the planet....read the FS listing for details. I'm a member of the PS Audio forum and didn't see mention, earlier today, of this sell until I saw your post. Paul's not surfaced to confirm the legitimacy of the listing but probably decided to let them go as a result of the new PS Audio speaker line.

On a side note....

I lusted after Infinity speakers when I was an audio rep back in the mid 80's (Mainz Kastel Audio Club, Germany). Spent many hours in the Infinity and (new to the military market) Polk rooms. They happened to be across the hall from each other and how I came to also love SDA's.

I have a pair of Genesis Gen II's that are waiting restoration. Size wise, a baby brother to the IRS V. They (the Genesis Gen I's and II's) were created after Arnie Nudell left Infinity and partnered w/McGowan to form the Genesis speaker company...Nudell intended to create an even better version of the IRS w/Genesis.

My story....just coming out of pandemic lock down, Paul posted a too good to be true offer. A gentlemen in New Mexico was giving away (100% free) a full set of Gen II's (to include bass servo amp and custom Audioquest cable) w/one caveat...couple of the woofer tower accelerometers were damaged and needed troubleshooting. In one of the quickest PM's I've ever sent I contacted McGowan and said I'd take them. Short time later Paul made email introductions.

Walking into Costco I received a call from the gentleman giving them away. Went back to my car and talked w/him for 1/2 an hour. Seemed legit, blessed by McGowan. After a week of prep (measurements, UHaul visits, planning custom packing inserts to be built on-site, logistics) I picked up a buddy along my route from the Pacific Northwest to New Mexico and it was a road trip. Total of 2,272 miles and made it there and back in 4 days. *I chuckle when someone says an 8 hr road trip for something they seriously want is too much. Total cost, 4 days and ~$1,300 in materials, trailer rental, gas and lodging. Road trip w/my buddy and a killer story to tell someday, priceless.

Back up a little bit....prior to committing to this endeavor I spoke w/Gary Koh, current owner of Genesis, re. options if the woofers are toast and I can't repair. Doable w/current drop in replacements that have been redesigned w/better specs and materials. Could cost a fair amount of $$$ (~$4k) but well below the market value of a used set. Koh said, "DO NOT POWER UP w/o rebuilding the sub amp. I'd like to sell you a new one but you don't want to know the cost." Parts for the vintage amp are unobtainium and, he didn't quote an amount, but I guestimate the new version is in the $20K range. Koh stated they don't have the ability to service the old amps.

Last year, road tripped to see my son/DIL stationed in CA. Hand delivered the bass amp off at George Meyer AV in LA and their lead tech rebuilt it. Long story but when Genesis ceased production in the 90's (prior to Gary Koh buying the company) the bank threw out all the technical documents. George Meyer AV is the only know service center to have hand drawn (traced out) the schematics and worked on several through the years.

So, the new to me Gen II's have been patiently waiting in my basement ~2 years for restoration. I'm finally seeing some breathing room in house renovations and hope to fire them up this winter.

With respect to McGowan's IRS V's. Paul told me the Gen II's were his favorite speaker he and Nudell created at Genesis. So, hopefully I get a taste of the secret sauce the IRS V's offered as they are from the same DNA. I'd hoped to make it to PS Audio's HQ in Boulder to hear the V's but looks like that won't happen.

More to come as the story progresses. Pics or it didn't happen....

BlueBirdMusic

The success of Paul McGowan is a great American story.
______________________________________________

JayCee, your STORY is amazing.

You could not have planned a better event for the perfect presentation of you STORY.

Thanks for sharing.

treitz3

JC, that is my all time favorite sounding speaker! Especially when paired with a top notch front end. When they are up and running, you are going to be in audio heaven!

When you get them set up, I wouldn't mind listening to them again.

Tom

VR3

Heck of a speaker and a great story!

I still think late eighties to early 2000s was the golden years of audio.

Leading up to 2008 and afterwards the industry went downhill.

newbie308

What a great idea! I never considered building shelving inside a U haul! Looks like it worked out great! Thank you for sharing this story!

JayCee

Thanks, all. I can't help but smile when I walk by them.

Have been tempted to hook them up several times but they're beasts to move and I want to safely test/evaluate when I do. Exception is the woofer servo control amp. Haven't listened to it but did power up, cycle all the controls via remote and let it burn-in for a month or more after getting it back from rebuild. Functionally, it works.

Biggest limiting factor is placement. The IRS V's are HUGE and would never be possible in my 109 year old house (nor would I drop $70K on them, or, would I? Hmmm? Never say never!). Part of my home renovations has been grinding down the 100+ year old basement floor and epoxy coating it. Basement is 1000+ sq ft area that's now a laundry, gym, coffee roasting, work bench and hobby area. Wide open w/no walls and I have an appropriate space for them, to include couch, treatments, etc. They'll have room to breath. Long-term, we're looking for a new house and my hope is to have a dedicated space.

treitz3 wrote: »

JC, that is my all time favorite sounding speaker! Especially when paired with a top notch front end. When they are up and running, you are going to be in audio heaven!

When you get them set up, I wouldn't mind listening to them again.

Tom

@treitz3, Tom, you'd be most welcome if the opportunity presents.

newbie308 wrote: »

What a great idea! I never considered building shelving inside a U haul! Looks like it worked out great! Thank you for sharing this story!

Thank you. After many trips to my local U-Haul and tons of measuring, this is the concept I designed on paper for the build. Mr. Koh (from Genesis), suggested I NOT try to remove the wing bases and transport all four cabinets flat. It was tight but fit like a glove. Once protected w/moving pads and plastic wrap the wings reminded me of ancient Egyptian coffins when they were shelved in the trailer.



For anyone that didn't read the IRS V advertisement engie490 posted, above, it's official...Paul McGowan sent out a "Paul's Post" w/the history/back story of his set. Quick and interesting read...direct link:

https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/pauls-posts/saying-goodbye-to-an-old-friend?mc_cid=4d6f4c5af7

skipshot12

We should all pony up $1K for a group ownership.
I’ll offer up my home for setup along with allowance to all investors having priority to listening sessions of one per month…..