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Donnacha's upgrade thread!

  • 22-04-2013 9:21pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭


    Looks like Donnacha is on the upgrade path.

    I reckon its only proper we assist. :-)
    Anyone care to share their thoughts and experiences on upgrading?
    Where next when you grow weary of Ms. Silvia?
    Will the grinder need an upgrade as well or is a Vario good enough?
    Counter top size comparison? Can you use a wall socket timer to preheat in the morn?




    (Apols D, blame Doodee.. Looks like that thread has more than just me looking at upgrade options!).


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,396 ✭✭✭PPC


    If the La Spaz mini isn't good enough, then its straight onto the http://www.lamarzocco.com/index.php?lang=en&Itemid=484 !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭Doodee


    PPC wrote: »
    If the La Spaz mini isn't good enough, then its straight onto the http://www.lamarzocco.com/index.php?lang=en&Itemid=484 !

    That's retirement grade!

    I'd say it boils down to price first and foremost.
    after that its the usual aesthetics, counter space etc.

    Next step after Ms.Silvia is HX or DB I'm afraid.

    Let's just leave this here http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/espresso-machines.html in case someone wants a look :pac::pac::pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    Cheers Gran Hermano. Was thinking quite a few of us would begin suffering from upgraditis/envy on seeing Doodee's purchase.

    I have to admit the La Spaziale Vivaldi S 1-II Mini ticks a lot of the boxes for me in terms of budget, counter space, and look (i want to avoid the 100% chrome). I could probably stretch the budget a bit further but would like to keep something in case the research leads me down the road of needing/wanting a new grinder. I won't be plumbing the machine in though it would be nice to have that option down the road.

    Gonna start doing real research in the coming weeks - Gio Espresso have the mini vivaldi for £1200 which seems like a decent price. Curious if any of ye have purchased from this crowd - small thread on coffeeforums about them which reads positively enough albeit they are a very, very small operation

    In addition to the research on machines I need to seriously think about what I'll get for my Silvia - I guess a scan of these threads/adverts should help with that. I have one aesthetic issue with it and thats the chrome plating coming off the group cover


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    I've the same issue with the peeling of the plating around the group cover on the Silvia.
    (It's nowhere near as bad as the one in the linked article - more around the bottom, luckliy hasnt crept up the side).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 271 ✭✭Clinker


    Hmmm, I can't say I don't think of upgrading my Gaggia Classic from time to time. I've pretty much got the hi-fi to where I want it, so the upgradeitis has to find expression somewhere! The last time I gave it serious thought I rather fancied the Izzo Alex Duetto. It seems pretty fully loaded. And very shiny!

    Expensive, though!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    Donnacha, sorry for asking but what machine do you own at the moment?

    The GS3 is a beautiful machine but it is a big investment!

    I was going to go for the Alex 2 but ended up with the Expobar Brewtus IV and very happy with it. Dont have the need to upgrade yet... but I know it will come soon, but I tell you one thing, whatever it will be it will have to be better than the Alex Duetto otherwise I dont think it will be worth it.

    Ok, i couldnt help it, i had a look at a few coffee machines.

    This is what I have atm

    Expobar

    Lovely machine, cheap and well built, excellent consistent coffee, good for the price.

    For the same price you could consider these two

    Rocket Giotto Plus 2



    Or even better, try a lever machine

    Bezzera Strega


    For a bit more money you can try

    ECM

    And for a bit more these one (I think its not worth it though)

    Spaziale

    Whats your budget?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Donnacha, sorry for asking but what machine do you own at the moment?

    Currently have a Silvia
    Bohrio wrote: »
    Whats your budget?

    Hard to nail an exact budget as at the moment I've only suffering from the early stages of upgraditis. Fair to say though that I considered this within budget:
    http://www.gio-espresso.co.uk/products.php?product=La-Spaziale-S1%252dII-Mini-Vivaldi-Black-Coffee-Machine


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,194 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    Damn you all to hell with your upgrade budgets.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    donnacha wrote: »
    Currently have a Silvia



    Hard to nail an exact budget as at the moment I've only suffering from the early stages of upgraditis. Fair to say though that I considered this within budget:
    http://www.gio-espresso.co.uk/products.php?product=La-Spaziale-S1%252dII-Mini-Vivaldi-Black-Coffee-Machine

    Well as I have already mentionedI am very happy with my Expobar. The only coffee machine I will consider will be the Strega (lever machine). I already had a lever machine and they have given me the best coffee shots, however, they were very inconsistent, some shots will be good, some others average, some other excellent, some crap... however, once every now and then, there was this special shot which was... just out of this world... and made it all worth it.

    The Strega is a much more consistent machine than the one I had so I might one day think about changin mine. Kevin from Cofemojo recently got one of this and he told me that the machine was giving him excellent consistent results (once you get the hang of it) but it is much more depanding than other semi automatic machines.

    I guess if you really want to have control over the shot there is no better machine than a lever machine!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Well as I have already mentionedI am very happy with my Expobar. The only coffee machine I will consider will be the Strega (lever machine). I already had a lever machine and they have given me the best coffee shots, however, they were very inconsistent, some shots will be good, some others average, some other excellent, some crap... however, once every now and then, there was this special shot which was... just out of this world... and made it all worth it.

    The Strega is a much more consistent machine than the one I had so I might one day think about changin mine. Kevin from Cofemojo recently got one of this and he told me that the machine was giving him excellent consistent results (once you get the hang of it) but it is much more depanding than other semi automatic machines.

    I guess if you really want to have control over the shot there is no better machine than a lever machine!!!

    I'd love a lever machine and looked at the one you linked but my counter set-up isn't suited to it as the lever would end up blocking presses. I also need to consider ease of use for the better half and the in-laws - they are messy baristas and me thinks training them on a lever may be a step too far. I still haven't managed to complete silvia clean-up 101 with them yet.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    donnacha wrote: »
    I'd love a lever machine and looked at the one you linked but my counter set-up isn't suited to it as the lever would end up blocking presses. I also need to consider ease of use for the better half and the in-laws - they are messy baristas and me thinks training them on a lever may be a step too far. I still haven't managed to complete silvia clean-up 101 with them yet.

    Yeah... I am the same, if I ever get that lever machine i will have to keep the current one but to be fair... there is nothing funier (manner of speaking of course) than watching my wife making coffee, God help her, the process of making coffee is beyond her. Sometimes I come back from work and I can tell when she has tried to make a cup of coffee or not (ie, coffee everywhere, the portafilter in the machine, the lever is up, etc). Lately she has been improving a bit so If I change the machine she will go mad:pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    I've had an offer to purchase a Nouva Simonelli Musica - first impressions are that it looks a bit bling but hopefully I'll be able to organise to see it in the flesh. Going to do some real research at the weekend on this machine.

    Have any of you looked at this baby before?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,396 ✭✭✭PPC


    I think REACTOR has or had one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    PPC wrote: »
    I think REACTOR has or had one.

    I don't think he frequents these forums much anymore ... but who knows. Obviously his trusted opinion would be great.

    On my initial google there appears to have been a few iterations so will probably need to find out when the machine was made. I'm not into the bling led lights - so hoping its not the LUX model.

    Was drooling last night at the sight of mini vivaldi ii's with custom wood panels - beautiful looking - below is a nice video of the lads in Clive Coffee making some of the gear - check out the custom portafilter handle also on the machine:



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,482 ✭✭✭RE*AC*TOR


    Yeah, have a Musica. Don't make much espresso drinks these days, but never had an issue with it. Lashed on a vst basket, after that the output was v. consistent. Build quality is pretty good. Pump is noisy as hell, though I think they've done something to fix that with newer builds.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    Cheers for that RE*AC*TOR.

    Doodee - how are you getting on with the Mini Vivaldi?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 mobilize


    Reading this thread I think I also have upgradeitis ;)

    Looking at moving from Gaggia Classic to something like the Expobar mentioned
    New to this forum but wondering about warranty and maintenance if I go for it and spend over a thousand pounds. Is there anyone offering maintenance services for machines like these in Ireland? I would happily pay a premium to buy a machine from Irish supplier who offered warranty/maintenance but does not appear to be any for these type of home machines

    I know if I upgrade my grinder from (Iberital MC2) with Vario from Coffee Angel that Karl would sort me out if there were any issues but I am concerned about any issues that might arise with new espresso machine.

    Would be good to get any comments/thoughts on this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭Doodee


    donnacha wrote: »
    Cheers for that RE*AC*TOR.

    Doodee - how are you getting on with the Mini Vivaldi?

    Loving it. Still tinkering with it though. Have the single button set to 4oz and the double to 2oz. Pulled 9.1g @ 25 secs with 22.4 in the cup. Seems a tad blond though. Roasted on the 22nd. After dialling back the next shot was 10g with a 15.4 yield.

    Going to play around with the grind a bit more and maybe the temps.
    All that said, they still taste ok :D


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,194 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    Lads, Could someone give me an idea of what improvements you could expect from upgrading from a Silvia to one of the above machines?

    I'm guessing temp stability being the main one but anything else?

    To be honest I'm still pretty happy with my setup 2 years later.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭caol ila


    Got the musica as a Christmas preside for the mrs and myself, have to say its been brilliant and the machine in use every day. Double shots pour better than singles in my experience, the crema is superior using the standard basket. I have tried a vst from my old gaggia tebe portafilter and that works well too.
    Since we got the musica we haven't really been making much filter.
    My beans are roasted at home too using the gene cafe, 2 or 3 batches do us the week usually.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭Doodee


    Trying some Bocca Gusto blend now, very different from the Sweetshop.
    Machine is going wonderfully, but I've to break old 18g VST habits. 14.4g seems to be the sweet spot on the doubles right now.


    adrian522 wrote: »
    Lads, Could someone give me an idea of what improvements you could expect from upgrading from a Silvia to one of the above machines?

    I'm guessing temp stability being the main one but anything else?

    To be honest I'm still pretty happy with my setup 2 years later.

    Apart from the temps the big difference for me is the consistency on shots. Mind you my Silvia wasn't a PID'd machine but I did find the range of good to bad to be quite high. With the new machine I can get better shots more consistently and the bad are down to my technique.

    The other improvement is with the steaming. I haven't made too many milky drinks but what I have tried so far has been a little better.

    I think I mentioned it before but the biggest factor is the piece of mind. I used to wonder if it was the Silvia or my poor technique, whereas now it's all on me ^_^

    We should rekindle the coffee appreciation *cough* porn thread [just seen the bump]


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,272 ✭✭✭donnacha


    Well thought I'd come back to confirm the fever got the better of me and I invested in the La Spaz Mini. Photo attached of the new set-up at home.

    After a bit of freaking out on unboxing and the machine not working(turned out there was switch internally for a timer) and then my new tamper and espresso order getting mislabelled and stuck up with parcelmotel for 5 nights, I've finally had a chance over the past few days to start playing with my new baby. Thanks to ch2008 for the lend of a tamper in the meantime, and to Doodee for replying to my panicky PMs when I thought I'd got a dud machine:)

    Experience so far has blown me away - this machine is so easy to set-up. It literally took me 5 shots to get the settings to what I was aiming for: 26g liquid from 16g coffee in 25 seconds. Still plenty of tinkering to be done yet but I can honestly say these initial shots are on a par with best I ever pulled off my Silvia with a naked portafilter as a guide.

    Steam wand/lever really easy to use but I think it'll take me awhile to start knocking out microfoam and I may have to visit 3FE again for a latte art lesson. Lots more to learn now also such as adjusted the temp to get the best results out of a particular roast profile/bean (you can do this also literally at the touch of a button).

    The other half is delighted with it also as she had found the Silvia tricky to master - this baby you just press one button and off she goes. Invested in an espro tamper which has definitely been of advantage as its clear from her using it that she never tamped sufficiently when using the Silvia - she just has to get used to what she considers short shots now :D


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 16,194 Mod ✭✭✭✭adrian522


    Even though I thanked your post you are on my hate list.


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