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  • Downsizing to single group..

    Hello Friends,

    It's been.... a while.

    I'm not up on the latest, so would appreciate a quick gloss over top level machines (other than slayer / kees, can't afford them) single group to downsize from my most awesome ECM Raff megaline A2.

    I have to say that bench space is literally the only driving factor, as I have had this beautiful HX machine dimed in for 7 years now and it has been faultless - and precise.

    So this year, I have had ample time to contemplate a dual boiler machine, with PID, and to be honest I was looking at an R58 some time ago, in the end I just couldn't leave my Raff, despite the 3kW element and my propensity to leave it on after 3pm. So a little more power efficiency? meh really I am not sure if that is a true factor, but it would be appreciated if you have experience in smaller capacity "downgrades?"

    Suggestions welcome, experiences certainly appreciated. limitations and annoyances absolutely shared please.

    thinking Synchronika Bezerra Duo, R58... etc. So right now the main beef is that more or less everything on the market has lever steam and hot water. and I'm not a fan. If retrofits are possible, vendors please advise too!

    thanks in advance

  • #2
    Others to consider: Profitec Pro 700 v2 - comparable to R58 Linea Mini - bit more expensive Rocket R Nine One if you can afford it. If I had $9k to drop on a machine, wouldn’t think twice about an R nine one. Crem One DB LFPP

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    • #3
      If you prefer a knob over lever for steam and hot water, having worked on and used both the R58 and Pro 700 mentioned above, they're both great in terms of build and coffee quality. It would be possible to retrofit knobs onto some of the other machines, but that would involve replacing the whole steam valve, which would get pretty costly.

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      • #4
        Have you considered the Vesuvius that is in the for sale section at the moment? I know it doesn't meet the brief on the lever taps but it has a geared pump (for pressure profiling) and dual boiler. The feature set would be very hard to beat....

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        • #5
          Sorry for the delay in follow-up. Obviously the current issues have been a contributing factor in being time-poor and overworked.

          No haven't considered the vesuvius, but as I iterated, levers are completely off the radar for me. Replacing a lever steam valve for a rotary - yes, but unnecessary cost considering.

          I guess manufacturers just go with whatever trend marketing dept says, and it looks like levers are 'it'

          I have given some thought to re-housing my Raff in a full-custom setup. I don't know if I'll do it yet, but there are lots of options.

          Full-custom would be a bit special I think. It's also a bit nonsensical, from a logical standpoint.

          The more I look at new machines, the less impressed I am. I have no explanation for that sentiment, I love new machines, but something is really bugging me about buying a new one.

          It's almost as if I don't trust a new machine to be reliable and built like an M1 abrams tank... which the Raff pretty much is.

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          • #6
            You've mentioned that your budget won't stretch to $16k but what will it stretch to? Some of your reservations re build quality may be a little unfounded, unless you're looking at the sub
            $3k sector. Prior to covid I was a regular visitor to a local retailer who has 7 or 8 machines on his try out bench and I'm just trying to think which one had lever steam/water actuators other than the 1gr Slayer, when it was there, or the Rocket R9. My first machines, 2 x Isomacs, had levers for steam and I loved them. My last three machines, Izzo e61, Izzo lever and a Speedster all have rotary knobs, which, in the end, is secondary to every other consideration and not a deal breaker. I understand the aesthetic prerogative of what an individual chooses but don't let it get in the way of the more important criteria that is on your list.... like the coffee. ;-) . If you had 10k I'd definitely go the R9. Hands down.

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            • #7
              Excellent perspective and advice chokki'...

              Mal.

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              • #8
                Izzo Alex Duetto meets a few of your requirements. Rotary taps, stainless steel chassis, ims basket and screen as standard. Cheers Antony Casa Espresso

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