Still love Bert Whyte's note about the ST11a/R: "The question is not whether the ST11a/R is ready for the digital age, but rather whether the digital age is ready for the STIIa/R."
Brian, myself, and the owner are among the few people who heard the magnificent Infinity IRS III back to back with STIIa/R. We delivered the STs to the buyer in Corte Madera, who already had setup the IRS in his dedicated sound room. We setup the STs in the living room overlooking SF Bay.
I'm not knocking the IRS, believe me, that was an audio high point. But I will say that I'm quite sure I could and did hear the woofer's feedback circuit kick in and damp the woofers after the bass transients. Telarc's Stravinsky Firebird Suite was killer, on DAT! Onkyo 504 powered the mid/treble array IIRC, mounted downstairs in the basement storage below the sound room. Owner was Landmark calendar/greeting card CEO, great guy. He drove the red Ferrari, she drove the Rolls.
Back to back, I might say Brian's bass was more natural, though less power vs. the IRS. Bass cutoff was a wash. Dude, that's comparing $60k vs. $2500! Do the math!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for posting! Good on ya, mate!