Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[scdowney]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

No worries scdowney,

Its a bolt off bolt on fix- once you have the right valve. Theyre 1/4"- so a tad harder to find. Be careful to use 2 spanners on the valve and adaptor. Its not hard to overtighten it and break it off in the boiler.

Good luck

Chris

Eek, good to know, thanks for the heads up!

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

First of all folks, this is my first post on Coffee Snobs, so be kind! I have taken the plunge and committed to buying a Duetto MkIII & Macap M4D grinder. I would be interested to ask if the latest MkIII version addresses most everything on the wish list of improvements from the original Mk1? Im certainly sold on this machine which is terrific.

Also a bit about me, I have been interested in coffee for some time & attended William Angliss where I completed 2 coffee courses (very educational btw). Poor equipment has been my biggest barrier to applying what I learnt. My previous machine was a Saeco Incanto semi-automatic. Look up "lemon" in the Oxford dictionary & youll see a picture of an Incanto machine next to it. That woeful experience put me on a trajectory to deciding to buy only the best equipment for my next machine. Hence the Alex & Macap.

Cheers,
Audiophile.

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

:-/ But I said please?

[coffee_machinist]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

There is a particular sweet spot (pardon the pun) in the audio world where one has to pay stupid money for very small if even discernible differences in the resulting sensory experience.

I would say the Alex Mk3 / M4D are the perfect coffee counterparts.

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Thanks Rick for your feedback. I just wanted to ask more experienced members familiar with this machine if the Mk3 version addresses pretty much most things you would put on your wish list in terms of refining the design? Though your comments seem all positive.
Cheers,
David.

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

With a cantankerous GS/3 (...again :) this morning, I am on the cusp of bringing one home for myself...

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Thanks to Claudette at Bella Barista for her generous time providing insight into the current Alex Mk3 -

"Although we are on Duetto Mk3, this machines has changed numerous times since its launch.  All of the Duettos are outstanding (mk1, mk2 and mk3) and to be honest, if you scrutinised every machine long enough with enough experts, you are bound to find niggling issues with all of them.  The only issues with the mk3 that I have personally, are the new style knobs, the deep drip tray, and their ugly badge and these are all things that can be lived with.  As far as I know, there are no plans to make any more changes (although I cant promise anything) but because of the way things are going in the Italian economy, the changes are more likely to be "money saving" changes rather than technology."

From Claudettes feedback & knowing Bella Baristas experience with the Alex, I think the Mk3 is the version to own with a long term view. Thanks also to Chris at Talk Coffee for his patient service.

[oton]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Whats the problem with the new style knobs??

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Im sure there are plenty of Giotto, Silvia et al owners whod have no problem at all with a deep drip tray :

Gruppo Izzo have toyed with idea of offering the Duetto with red or white knobs and accessories as they do with the Pompeii. I have a photo somewhere and will see if I can dig it up.

[Jono_Willmer]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Id love to see the pics, might be a fun thing to try.

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Whats the problem with the new style knobs??

I dont have any problem with them & personally like the Mk3 knobs. I was more interested in Claudettes comment that there are no plans to change the Alex Mk3, and in fact any changes in the near future are likely to be cost saving ones.

Im sure there are plenty of Giotto, Silvia et al owners whod have no problem at all with a deep drip tray :

Chris, its not helpful trivializing what could be a legitimate observation. In fact I recall when I came into your showroom you acknowledged the deep drip tray was not necessary & implied the Giotto Evo got it right. With that said, the Alex still has the goods where it counts

Gruppo Izzo have toyed with idea of offering the Duetto with red or white knobs and accessories as they do with the Pompeii. I have a photo somewhere and will see if I can dig it up.

All good, but ill take Daves custom wood knobs, thank you  8-)

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

you acknowledged the deep drip tray was not necessary & implied the Giotto Evo got it right

Just to correct you there Audiophile, the one thing I would change about the Giotto would be to incorporate a larger drip tray and thats what prospective purchases are also told as well. In the case of machines plumbed to drainage, its neither here nor there- but there are very few CSers, myself included who do not appreciate a larger drip tray. In my experience, whilst many Alex Duettos are ultimately plumbed in, few owners are able to retrofit suitable drainage to their kitchens, so drip tray capacity becomes important.

When you ask for speculation, you receive individual opinions. Those in the UK know as little about what might be going on in the R&D department of an espresso machine manufacturer as any other retailer.

Chris

[Jono_Willmer]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

I think the tray isnt deep enough the Minore has it right. I plumbed my drain in so it doesnt mater anyway. The hight between the driptray and group may be an issue but the naked porterfilter works well to add space.

[Jono_Willmer]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

i think these knobs and group handle would look great, would they fit a duetto?

[audiophile]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Just to correct you there Audiophile, the one thing I would change about the Giotto would be to incorporate a larger drip tray and thats what prospective purchases are also told as well. In the case of machines plumbed to drainage, its neither here nor there- but there are very few CSers, myself included who do not appreciate a larger drip tray. In my experience, whilst many Alex Duettos are ultimately plumbed in, few owners are able to retrofit suitable drainage to their kitchens, so drip tray capacity becomes important.

Thanks for the correction Chris, and my apology for the brain fade. I was understandably concentrating harder on the Alex during my visit.

When you ask for speculation, you receive individual opinions. Those in the UK know as little about what might be going on in the R&D department of an espresso machine manufacturer as any other retailer.

Chris

I was asking for insight from those with first hand knowledge, not speculation. Im happy to read individual opinions also as this is an open forum, but im intelligent enough to ascertain if a member is making an informed comment. If I ask another retailer for their opinion, im only asking for a second opinion. Nothing wrong with that. I singled out Bella Barista because they reviewed the original Duetto & Mk2 and helped develop the later versions, so I surmised they would probably be able to offer some insight.