Upgrade Advice Needed

Bluefoam

I have a Gaggia Classic Evo and was considering adding a Gaggimate for the PID… I also made a big statement that I wouldn't be upgrading for years and if I did, it would be to a La Marzocco Mini... That might still happen some day, but now I need to decide if it's worth upgrading the Gaggia and whether that'll do me for a few years, or whether I should 'invest' in a new machine. Budget being €1k +/-

The machines in mind are the Rancilio Silvia Pro X or the Profitec Go... The Go is a couple of hundred quid less, but it's a single boiler... Would it satisfy my upgrade needs?

I would consider the Profitec Move, but it's too far over budget.

I like Lelit, but the off standard portafilter sizes make them unviable for me...

Bluefoam

Also, will my Varia VS3 be underperforming against a quality machine like the Silvia Pro X?

Would a machine like that need a flat burr set to perform to its potential?

Bluefoam

I love these chats, thanks... I'm 90% sure I'll go with the Silvia X.

adrian522

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123060123#Comment_123060123

Do you generally make milk drinks or espresso? I have a dual boiler but feel its a bit overkill for what I use it for.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123058901#Comment_123058901

I think as long as you grind fine enough it doesn't matter much if its conical or flat burr, though I've never used that grinder.

Bluefoam

I make milk drinks and espresso, but where I've been getting stuck mostly is when I have to make multiple milk drinks one after the other, which isn't very often, but happens enough to show up the machine (or the operator)... It's definitely overkill, but I feel like it would be wasteful not to get the most useful machine possible, otherwise I think I'd find myself looking to upgrade again in the not too distant future…

Krusty_Clown

Not entirely the answer you're looking for, but I used to have a Gaggia classic, and upgraded to a Rancilio Silvia (not the pro). Huge difference between the Gaggia and the Silvia. I added a PID myself, and the difference between the Silvia with and without the PID are immense. I love my Silvia with the PID and the only thing that frustrates me is the single boiler. So I reckon the Silvia pro would be a most excellent machine and a huge upgrade for someone coming from the Gaggia. In fact, my son upgraded from my old Gaggia, to the Silvia pro and I think he's very happy with his purchase. He's not a boards person, so if you have any questions, pm me and I can fire them on.

Personally, my only qualm is that the Sylvia pro (like the Silvia) is a rather ugly blocky, brushed metal, solid chunk of metal and electronics. If I were spending a sum in the region of €1.2k, I'd be hoping for something a little more aesthetically pleasing - but it's a hugely functional machine. I don't think you'll have any regrets about the feature-set.

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123060676#Comment_123060676

Thanks, that's great to hear! I'm hoping this will satisfy my upgrade anxiety for a long long time... Can't imagine any need to upgrade after this

Bluefoam

Well, I’ve done it… I’ve ordered the feckin’ machine. If this doesn’t last me forever there must be something wrong with me…

My Espresso History:

Nespresso Pixie, bought for me as a gift when I lived abroad, did me well, but was a serious factor in getting me interested in coffee at home. I recently set it up in may parents house to replace a more modern Nespresso machine and it is miles better and produces good crema…

Sage Bambino Plus, I got great milk drinks from it, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t get good espresso, the shots were always sour. I’ve since discovered that they have difficulty getting up to the right temperature to deal with medium/light roasts.

Gaggia Classic Pro Evo, my current machine. It’s a great yolk, but when I do multiple shots and milk drinks in is a pain in the hoop… I don’t like temperature surfing… I don’t want to be a Gagiia Expert, I just want to make nice coffee and be knowledgeable about that, rather than the bizarre intricacies of a particular machine…. I was in the process of deciding on a PID upgrade when I realised I should just upgrade the whole machine, otherwise I’d be doing the same a year later. I actually really like this machine, but my needs are a bit more intense recently, so I’m upgrading, but this is the machine that made me feel like I was actually producing really good coffee.

Rancilio Silvia Pro X, this time I decided I needed the dogs bollox of a machine, with PID, with dual boiler… A machine that just works and that lets me concentrate on just getting good coffee instead of having a scientific knowledge on the inner workings of boilers, group heads and steam temperature… I’m hoping for a stress-free coffee setup now…

adrian522

Great stuff, enjoy it. Try to stay on top of maintenance and it should last you a long, long time,

ablelocks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123066830#Comment_123066830

currently at the bambino stage, so you've saved me a step on the upgrade path!

Rancilio Silvia Pro X is the next one then - in time….

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123067806#Comment_123067806

🤣 That's gas!

Bawnmore

Congrats - enjoy - the Pro X looks lovely! We'd the exact same dilemma before Christmas and went with the Profitec Go and love it. We were looking at everything from single boiler, HX and dual boiler and landed with the Profitec - I was replying to sing it's praises but it looks like I'm too late 😅

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123080844#Comment_123080844

TBH, I would have chosen the Profitec, but I do a decent amount of milk drinks back to back… so the SPX seemed more appropriate. I also was interested in the Profitec Move, but no word on when stock will be available and they are €800 more than the Silvia Pro X.

Bawnmore

Ya - I had been set on a double boiler for the exact same reason - in the end, I decided I wanted to upgrade our grinder while I was at it and I was really losing the run of myself with my requirements!