Original 2010 Stumpjumper FSR Elite, which I bought in Jan 2010:

Loved it, but the paint finish was faulty. The frame was replaced under warranty with this (pro carbon with Brain shock):


I think it rides really well. It's given me a lot more confidence on steep, rocky descents which I struggle on. It's got the TALAS fork, but I very rarely wind it down.
The brain has made the bike 'tighter', but the Triad shock on the original frame was perfectly fine anyway. On the one I test rode, the Brain had a noticeable clunk when it opened, but this one doesn't seem to do that. I normally have it set a couple of clicks from fully on & you don't really notice it opening & closing.
I like the look of the 2011 versions, especially fitted with the double crankset up-front, but MBR have had some quality issues with the crankset on their long-term Stumpy Evo.
If you are looking at throwing it down steeper stuff, it might be worth getting the evo, over the standard one.