Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

A quick update on the Alex Duetto.

New stock has been optioned with cool touch wands. We have absorbed the associated price increase.

For those thinking of one, we anticipate that we will be right for Christmas (just  :-/) before the next batch arrives late Jan/early Feb.

Cheers

Chris

[Morgz]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Just ordered an Alex from Chris, along with a Macap M4D (thanks Santa!) I think my coffee learning curve is about to start all over again.... Better get up the roasting learning curve too now that my Behmor has arrived. So much to learn, so little time!!!

Thanks to Chris from talk Coffee for the advice. This SHOULD end my coffee related purchasing for a while :

[robinyong29]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Nice one Morgz. You will love the Alex. I have the exact same set up!

Oh, and there is ALWAYS something to purchase next! ;D

[A_M]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Nice one Morgz....

Been looking at options for my next upgrade / change path and this Unit appears to be ticking many of teh right boxes.....

May have to wait until the new year and if I can find a new home for the DCM!

Enjoy your new purchases

[Morgz]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Oh, and there is ALWAYS something to purchase next!

Thats what worries me I resisted upgrading the Sunbeam for as long as I could. I think the Izzo will be around for a long time but I can see myself adding a few more toys.... me being a gadget man and all

May have to wait until the new year and if I can find a new home for the DCM!

The new toys will be with me a week or so into the New Year which is probably a good thing.. Domestic harmony may have been disrupted if I had the new gear to play with over the break

I look forward to taking my home shots to the next level. The espressos and lates I get from Epic Espresso in West Perth are my current benchmark and I have a way to go before I get anywhere near the quality they get out of their Synessos!

[Morgz]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

The Sunbeam must have gotten word that it was about to be relegated to backup duty because while brewing my morning cup of Five Senses AM blend this morning I was confronted by water leaking from everywhere except the portafilter spout. This is despite replacing the group head gasket a week or so ago and regular cleaning. Any suggestions?

Looking forward to welcoming Alex into the kitchen ;D

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

The Sunbeam must have gotten word that it was about to be relegated to backup duty because while brewing my morning cup of Five Senses AM blend this morning I was confronted by water leaking from everywhere except the portafilter spout. This is despite replacing the group head gasket a week or so ago and regular cleaning. Any suggestions?

Looking forward to welcoming Alex into the kitchen  ;D

Its in transit Morgz and will be with Dimattina mid next week.

Hope you enjoy it!

Chris

[Morgz]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Its in transit Morgz and will be with Dimattina mid next week.

Awesome I just home Dimattina is open mid next week? :-?

[kaloolabmeb]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Been looking at options for my next upgrade / change path and this Unit appears to be ticking many of the right boxes.....

Interesting...Id seen you had the DCM, and thought you must have picked it above La Spaziale and the Duetto.  Ive been tossing up on an upgrade for ages, and had looked at the Duetto and the Rocket more recently (mostly because the Rocket was on sale for January at TalkCoffee, but the month has slipped through my hands without so much as asking for a demo).

Since Im always interested in what you have to say, could you share some of your thoughts on why you would switch to the Izzo from the DCM? What do you think of the Rocket by comparison?

[A_M]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Since Im always interested in what you have to say, could you share some of your thoughts on why you would switch to the Izzo from the DCM?

1: Rotary Pump  8-)
2: Plumbed or Tank (if I remember, is a selectable option)  8-)
3: A change is always good    
4: 54 Vs 58 group  ( I have more 58 mm toys)
5: Brew head Gauge... Looks  

Other than not being a TRUE Lever   it does appear to tick all the boxes  8-)

**  There is the other option of the DC Super Mini but while it ticks some boxes it does not tick others.


**  The issue of Blue  leds and PIDS and all the other bling does little to an old man... Functionality and repeatability is what is important.

**  Then there is the BFC Junior EXTRA Dual Boiler - PID - model     ( because my first true unit was a BCF and the build quality is just tops.)  But yet to see a cost ?

**  And last but not least, there is the "The Ponte Vecchio "

So I am caught.... Want Vs Need Vs Allowed to have  ;D ;D


All will make great coffee, All look good on the bench (but some are more space hungry than others), Volumetric Vs Semi Manual Vs true Manual and then there is the $$$$$$

I own my DCM  :-X  

The  Ponte Vecchio I want for my deck and to step back into a different culture on the wekends.

So you do the maths...  BCF and Ponte Vecchio  OR Izzo Alex  OR just stay with the DCM and keep wife happy ????

LOTTO please, and that way I could go Izzo Alex and Ponte Vecchio  :P

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

[split] [link=http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1296139662/3#3][splithere][/link][splithere_end]

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Yes, big differences between the DCM and the Alex Duetto, not the first of which are build quality and quality of finish.

I have only seen the one and it was a couple of years ago, but I found the analogue control of a digital PID to be puzzling. The lack of a hot water outlet was also a worry as there is no easy way to turn over the water in the steam boiler, and I have seen some really nasty stuff in boilers where the water is not used.

The final dealbreaker was price in that for a vibe pump machine, it was ridiculously overpriced- very close to the price of the Alex Duetto.

Could it pull a good shot? Absolutely- but the numbers just didnt add up for me.

To be honest, I really dont see it as a competitor with the Alex Duetto as its in the Minore III class. The only real difference is group anatomy.

Chris

[A_M]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Yes, big differences between the DCM and the Alex Duetto, not the first of which are build quality and quality of finish.

There was never any intent to COMPARE the two. The question was more to why would I change... Which I answered.

As to build Quality and Finish... I would like to see how one could compare as the finish and Build quality on mine is Excellent and so SOLID... Then again what one might see as a positive another may see as a negative but I like the HEAVY gauge High Quality SS and ease of access. Mind you the Super mini have all the extras such as Rotary and Hot water.

Am aware that a number of users have converted to Rotary pumps in teh DCM overseas and also have the option to switch out the steam if you only want espresso 8-)

The final dealbreaker was price in that for a vibe pump machine, it was ridiculously overpriced- very close to the price of the Alex Duetto.

The DCM is far less that the Alex and is more on par with the Minore III as to $$$ (About $2.6K). But the DCM is also volumetric which the rest of the family love and so do I, when it is a busy BBQ

The Super Mini is on par with the Alex as to price ($3. ? K), but as I do not have one, thus I can not comment as to if it is worth the extra $$$...

To be honest, I really dont see it as a competitor with the Alex Duetto as its in the Minore III class

Never said it was a competitor to teh Alex and if it was; why would I think of UPGRADING to an Alex ? The logic of some amaze me at times :-?

Now if the Alex had volumetric option, that would be a BIG plus in my opinion ;D

WHY.... Well it would allow me to use at home via tank and when doing a function By water feed and the volumetric would allow me to be more efficient and steam and not worry about stopping the shot etc. While having all the bling and gauges... Now thats what I want, as it then gives me full functionality across a different scope of uses

Without teh Volumetric option - It means retraining others and when they have a say in $$$ Quality of home life counts much more than a shiny machine

Conclusion..

I would go an Izzo Alex Duetto II as a DIRECT upgrade from my DCM 8-) (Fresh Coffee sold me on that one)

But $$$ and other drivers would see me lean towards BFC Junior EXTRA Dual Boiler - PID - model OR even a Minore III AND a dual Lever Ponte Vecchio... (But it would hinge on the $$$ of teh BFC) as a Sideways Move....

Now who wants a well cared for DCM

Note: If Lotto came up; Then a La Marzocco GS3; Just because I could

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Yes AM, I hear all that.

My comments were based on my perception of the one machine which I did see and then tested. It was rough, but most likely an earlier build than yours, so hopefully things improved. It may not have been a typical, representative example.

At the time, they were looking at a RRP of (believe it or not) $3.6k   for the DCM and I thought that was outrageous. If its come down by circa $1k as you state, thats more where I felt it should be.

Retrofit upgrades are possible on any machine: I call em as I see them out of the box.

No doubt which ever way you go, youll be having a whole heap of fun and I too am looking forward to seeing the the dual boiler DJE, but thats a discussion for another thread, not this one.

Enjoy the shots

Chris

[TC]

Re: Izzo Alex Duetto II discussion thread

Watch on Alex Duetto 2 boiler safety valve.

Hello Alex Duetto owners,

A quick heads up to inform that we are experiencing a concerning rate of low pressure leaks (currently 10-15%) at pressures under 1.5 bar from the steam boiler safety valve in Alex Duetto espresso machines. This is higher than I would like to see.  This issue has been identified in machines in all markets.

The valve leak can be heard as a faint hissing under the top cover of the machine towards the RHS rear corner ahead of the tank and if present could lead to more frequent cycling/overshoot of the PID.

The repair for this issue is quite simple. The affected valve is replaced with a new and more robust unit and the task can be completed in about 15 minutes.

I would appreciate if you could check your machine for the leak, and if detected, please contact your selling dealer to arrange for a replacement valve to be installed. We have ordered extra stock of a revised valve to ensure that any machine that requires a repair can be promptly attended to. The revised valve will be fitted to all new stock we receive.

I have emailed all owners for whom I have email addresses and have also asked that our interstate dealers make contact with their owners as well.

Should you have any concerns, please contact your dealer and also please feel free to email or call me to discuss this issue.

Regards

Chris