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Alex Duetto IV - First impressions

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  • #16
    Thanks guys will do. After changing it over and noticing a difference it made, it actually made me think I should give the others ago and see what difference it makes.

    Mel, i must say in my original post about this I wanted to and forgot to mentioned im sure other machine makers put the attention to detail in to their machines like Izzo have. Its what makes it hard for someone looking at a new machine. Alot of the time you find prices are very similar and the ins and outs of them are similar from one maker to another. It comes down to looks when you have a price range in mind these days.

    Chris

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    • #17
      Hi Chris,

      Great all is going well.

      I knew you were keen to pick it up when you were waiting outside the showroom before we had opened on Saturday morning!

      Remember there is one other variable you can change with steaming and that is the pressure in the steam boiler. All easily adjustable through the PID control

      Cheers

      Antony
      www.casaespresso.com.au

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      • #18


        Another nicely presented option from Izzo.
        Optional coloured handle options including taps, lever, group handles and a white handled tamper.
        All nicely presented.
        Well done Izzo, we are impressed.

        Cheers

        Antony
        Www.casaespresso.com.au

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        • #19
          So 2 weeks in - how’s ownership of the new Izzo going Chris... a worthwhile upgrade for the Expobar?

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          • #20
            Hi Mfluder,

            Like many of us when purchasing something which can be pricey, we tend to think in the back of our minds am i making the right choice and do i need it?? Maybe in some way i dont need it as the Expobar was going well but I feel i made the right choice and i haven't once felt i didn't need to buy this machine. I wanted something new.

            I cant explain how but in someway its more ergonomic, as silly as it sounds and it seems to take me alot less time to make. The main thing for me is it very forgiving when making coffee, I was struggling at first to get the grind right, but that wasn't the machines fault and part of the struggle may have been that the coffee was already tasting good even though it wasn't with in my preferred extraction amount/time.

            The one big thing is the look, I loved the Expobar, but I have to say the finish on this is beautiful. To answer the question, yes its been a very worth while upgrade.

            Chris

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            • #21
              Originally posted by Casa Espresso View Post
              Hi Chris,

              Great all is going well.

              I knew you were keen to pick it up when you were waiting outside the showroom before we had opened on Saturday morning!

              Remember there is one other variable you can change with steaming and that is the pressure in the steam boiler. All easily adjustable through the PID control

              Cheers

              Antony
              www.casaespresso.com.au
              I have to admit two thing.... 1. Yes i was very Keen to pick it up!! 2. I have a very bad habit of always being very punctual

              steam is going well now and producing great milk. The entire machine is also easy for my partner to use as she was a little hesitate at first.

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              • #22
                Joined the club this afternoon.

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                • #23
                  You wont be disappointed, good purchase

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by coffeechris View Post
                    You wont be disappointed, good purchase
                    I'm already making better shots than my old machine. Only need to be off roster now to have good play. Caffeine intake reduced due shift work.

                    @coffeechris have you plumbed yours in?

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                    • #25
                      I haven't plumbed mine in, its crossed my mind many times (actually it crosses my mind every time i use it).

                      My previous machine was an Expobar Minore, although this was a great machine it took me sometime to really get a good shot and be able to do it consistently. When i got the Duetto, like you I was pulling great shots on the first day.

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                      • #26
                        Yes, I'll bet plumbing in crosses your mind often.

                        I received my machine on Tuesday and I certainly noticed the increased water usage of the E61 machine during 2 short sessions of making a few shots compared to my previous machine. It meant more frequent refills of the tank and so I had plumbed it in by Wednesday evening. Having recently fitted a Brita C150 finest and 3 way sink mixer in the kitchen, it was only a few hours pottering to make water to the Alex happen. Certainly there's pros and cons to plumbing but my last 5.5 years of tank filling are behind me now. The drain is still to be done but I'm collecting a few small bits and will have a crack at it in the next week. Meanwhile emptying the drip tray is way easier and quicker than refilling the tank.

                        My journey was 2 consecutive Breville Dual Boiler machines. To be fair they're a great idea and for what they are make a good training ground. Achilles heel is the complexity vs price equation means 2.5 -3 years life until problems start.
                        I'm confident the Alex will outlive both Brevilles by a large margin. It also looks like a Lamborghini Miura compared to the Breville's N12 Nissan Pulsar.

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                        • #27
                          I have an Alex Duetto II which is now nearly 8 years old. Apart from a two year period when I was out of the country, it has been used every day without missing a beat; the only item needing attention being the PID after an LED segment failed. Clean Alex regularly and I'm sure you'll get many years of faithful service as well. My latest addition has been a wifi switch; I now tell Google Home to turn it on before I get out of bed, or turn it on using my phone before I get home. Best idea ever :-)

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                          • #28
                            I have the Duetto II and loving it. I too got the wifi switch ages ago, so awesome!! And unfortunately my PID LED segments are disappearing. I will have a crack at fixing the display module in the PID when I get a chance, will write up about it when I do.

                            They are a quality bit of kit, looks great under the bonnet!

                            Cheers

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                            • #29
                              I have now competed the drain plumbing and am loving the convenience of a fully plumbed machine.

                              I did notice after plumbing in the water supply that a change (downward) was required to the pump pressure as brew pressure went up. This was easily done after a quick chat with Chris at TC to get the correct procedure and now I'm all set. Shots are superb.

                              Like @coffeechris, I've found the milk is taking time to master. I'm just having some issues with good even integration, stretching is easy. I haven't noticed much difference switching from 2 hole to 3 hole tips so I may try out the 4 hole tips if I'm still not there after a bit more technique tweaking.

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                              • #30
                                Alex iv or ECM Syncronica?

                                Would any Alex iv owners swap to an ECM Syncronica?
                                I have both on my shortlist for an upgrade and could acquire either at about the same EOFY price.

                                I a prefer the Alex with its rotary steam/water valves, all ss construction, quiet rotary pump and ease of adjustments etc. But feel it’s visual appearance is a tad underwhelming. The front panel visuals for me are quirky.

                                The Synchro short changes a tad with the powder coated frame and selective use of ss. Unlike the Alex, it does not offer ease of pump adjustment or convenient boiler maintenance - but to me it offers a more balanced visual design.

                                Both are great machines and I’m just about to toss a coin - but happy to receive feedback in case I missed something.

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