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Dalla Corte Studio feedback?

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  • Plinius
    replied
    I came across this thread on my travels researching the DC Studio, so thought I'd sign up to share my thoughts and opinions. I currently have a Rocket Apparamento (about 5yrs now) and looking to make the next step up the machine ladder. My short list is loosely: Synchronika, Studio, LM. I have ruled out the You, Famina, Mina, ES1, etc and as being too much of a jump this time around (as this hobby is just as much about the journey as the destination for me).
    Anyway, the Studio appealed to me with the brew group design and commercial DNA, compact size and aesthetic. I think that the Synchronika will give me a 'more of the same, but slightly better' experience compared to the Appartamento. I use an LM daily at my office, and while the steam is phenomenal, i feel that it is a rather over rated machine with an agricultural (though sturdy) build quality.
    I viewed the Studio at a dealer a few weeks back, and they did a bit of a demo. Some impressions:
    - build quality was nice, portafilters very high quality.
    - surprisingly compact, particularly front to back
    - menu system worked well
    - machine would move on the bench when tightening the portafilter, like the feet had limited grip
    - i really hate the chromed plastic fascia around the group, just feels cheap. And I wonder how it will stand up to accidental knocks.
    - steam power seemed good, but I'd want to try it myself to see how it compares to the LM

    So the jury is still out for me. I don't think the LM is worth the extra cost over the studio (at least here in NZ). There aren't actually a great deal of machines in the same bracket, since its a bit of a no mans land between high end e61's and genuine top tier machines.

    For anyone looking for more info on the studio, the best resource I've found is the 100+ page thread on kaffee-netz, which is a good read with plenty of owners experiences.

    Leave a comment:


  • San
    commented on 's reply
    Agree, it's such a shame to have such poor and incompitent local customer support, especially after they tried all diferrent tricks to sell a very outdated version instead of being honest and forthcoming with information on the version they stock.

  • San
    replied
    I thought I'd share some of the information I gathered from overseas forums, mostly UK, Germany and Switzerland.

    It feels like Dalla Corte Studio (DCS) is - it's a Profitec Pro 300 on steroids (hardware wise and price wise):

    * brew head designs are very similar but with more accurate temperature stability on DCS (0.1C vs 1C)
    * both brew heads made of brass
    * proprietary 54mm on DCS vs standard 58mm on Pro300 (DCS 58mm upgrade is a proprietary size too so standard 58mm accessories will not fit)
    * there is a flow meter on DCS and no flow meter on Pro300
    * volumetric shots on DC vs manual on Pro300
    * rotary pump on DCS vs vibratory pump on Pro300
    * pump pressure gauge on DCS hidden inside the machine vs no pump pressure gauge on Pro300
    * plumbed in option on DCS and tank only on Pro300
    * no hot water tap on DCS vs hot water tap on Pro300
    * copper boiler on DCS vs stainless steel boiler on Pro300
    * no boiler insulation on DCS but there is a boiler insulation on Pro300
    * waste tray on DCS is plastic and stainless steel on Pro300
    * DCS fitted with more expensive (commercial grade?) parts than Pro300
    * weight DCS is 27.5kg vs Pro300 18kg
    * Price in Europe DCS around 4,300 euro vs 1,200 euro for Pro300 (price slightly vary, depends on a country)

    There are few issues with an early versions of DCS:

    * DCS had 50l pump that allegedly caused pressure gauge to rattle (pump pressure stability issue?); has been replaced with 70l pump from s/n F19002379
    * DCS has no hot water tap nor steam pressure tap to empty the boiler: water sitting in a copper boiler for prolong period of time might get contaminated by the leaked copper, become stale and affect flavour of a steamed milk; a boiler tap has been added from s/n F21001876

    In one of the catalogues, I saw the new version of Dalla Corte Studio, called DL Studio Aqua, that fitted with a hot water tap, pump pressure gauge on the front, bigger steam boiler (2.5l) and might be some additional minor updates; the list price was around 5,000 euros.

    DCS is around 3.5 times more expensive than Pro300 and DCS Aqua is 4 times more expensive than Pro 300. The choice is yours.
    Last edited by San; 24 March 2022, 03:05 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • aliel
    replied
    Such a shame not to have good local customer support because I really love the design of this machine. I never thought to reach out to Italy, so kudos to you for doing that. The aqua version is literally perfect, whilst I didn't think not having it would be a deal breaker, it's certainly should be standard at this price range.

    ​​​​
    ​​​​​​

    Leave a comment:


  • San
    commented on 's reply
    I've got in touch with Della Corte and they confirmed that both, 54mm & 58mm, Della Corte grouphead sizes are proprietary designs and VST, Pesado, Pullman or Breville baskets and portafilters can't be used with Dalla Corte machines.

  • San
    replied
    I found Della Corte Italy to be very helpful and responsive however the local distributor is completely opposite: I found the local distributor sales' person is very incompetent and contradicts information provided by DL Italy. This sale's person can't even clarify what version of the Studio they stock until you buy the machine, only then they'll "need to open the box and check what machine is inside" - it's ludicrous. DL Studio had few modifications recently: pump upgraded from 50l to 70l (to address some of the issues), added valve to empty a steam boiler (very important as the machine doesn't have a hot water tap), a new firmware and might be more but that's all what I could find so far. I couldn't find many users in Australia to gain their feedback - only one responded on this forum.

    There is a new version, DL Studio Aqua, has been released in Europe that has a water tap, both pressure gauges in the front, above mentioned improvements and maybe something else (?); based on the German forum it's about 500 euro more expensive that the current Studio.

    All in all, I have to agree with Caffeinator that it's very important to have a competent local support in case something goes poor and that a box of proprietary parts can be risky - so it's a pass for me for now.

    Leave a comment:


  • aliel
    commented on 's reply
    Hey mate, helps a ton! thanks for your feedback

  • Caffeinator
    commented on 's reply
    Possible red flag. I'd be looking for competent local support in case something goes pop or it needs service. Box of proprietary parts can be risky.

  • San
    replied
    I've contacted Australian distributor but they're pretty much sales oriented and have nil technical understanding of what they're selling: the sales person asked me to explain what "pre-infusion" means... When asked for a spec sheet, got a marketing leaflet. Couldn't find a display machine in Melbourne, can't even dream about "test drive" it.

    Is anyone has experience using Della Corte Studio?

    Leave a comment:


  • keydefender
    replied
    No I haven't yet, but interested

    Leave a comment:


  • San
    replied
    I just wonder if anyone has an experience with Dalla Corte Studio coffee machine? It has been designed by co-designer of the famous e61 group head and has good specs on a paper but I couldn’t find any reviews on it (except of “one year experience” on the UK forum).

    Any thoughts? Any owners’ feedbacks?

    Leave a comment:


  • MickC86
    commented on 's reply
    Just checked the fitting of the VST20g (and a Pesado18g) basket in the 58mm portafilter and it does overhang a little which does not fit properly into the Studio head...whether or not that is an issue for you that's your call but the standard baskets with the 58mm kit are IMS

  • MickC86
    replied
    Hey Ali,

    Glad the info helped some what.

    Basket is no real issue to me (I will confirm later for you as I have a couple of VST baskets tucked away somewhere), I focus more on the actual grind/distribution and tamp and as long as I get those factors it pours as good as any machine I have used, commercial or domestic so I'm happy.

    The steam is awesome (components are actually identical to the Dalla Corte commercial range which is nice to know they haven't gone cheap being a domestic machine).

    Menu is easy to navigate with the knob/button, just scroll left/right and enter for temperature adjustment, or any other parameter. It depends which coffee I use but one blend I always get I keep the temperature 93.5 but change it when I get single origin (temperature varies on regions). Temperature is displayed on the screen so it's easy to adjust and monitor as you go.

    I have used the commercial machines previously and I do like the extraction and flavour produced from the 54mm heads but as mentioned previously being a personal machine for home I opted for the 58mm purely for convenience to purchase accessories easier, OCD/tamper etc but I really don't have a preference regarding the 54/58mm, I think they both make cracking espresso and keeping in mind it isn't a drama to change at a later date...

    Hope that helps Ali..

    Leave a comment:


  • aliel
    replied
    Oh this is perfect!

    I did see that you could order a conversionm kit.
    Apparently you have to use the baskets that are provided with it though? (Which is no issue)

    Can I ask do you prefer using the 58mm?
    ​​​​​​
    I really dig the design of the group head. In particular, the easy temperature adjustability really intrigued me.
    Have you been able to play around with temperature to get improved results?

    Also what has your experience with the steam been like?

    thanks

    Leave a comment:


  • MickC86
    replied
    Hi Ali,

    I have worked in cafes using the Dalla Corte Evo2 2/3 group and also own a DC Studio (approximately 12 months). The 54mm design is a flavour profile/idea from Dalla Corte which does make sense however a 58mm conversion can be ordered with the Studio. You get the portafilter and baskets in a box, then you just have to change the shower screen and shower screen holder. I ordered my machine with the 58mm head to make it easier for accessories e.g. tamper/OCD/baskets. This can be done at anytime and is not difficult nor are you required to make a decision when you purchase the machine which means you can always try the 54mm to start and order the conversion kit later on.

    For me I wanted something a little different for home (an advantage of already knowing and using Dalla Corte equipment did help) but the features of the machine including DB, lever steam & volumetric activation, rotary pump are nice. Having a hot water spout on my coffee machine did not concern me because I use a Brewista kettle for pour over and tea. I use the machine as a tank however you can plumb the machine to mains water also. One of the features I like most with the Studio is the digital display which shows shot time and flow rate per second. I generally find myself between a couple of coffee brands/blends and have found sweet spots for the flow rate which is a nice reference point for each blend I use.

    Hope this helps Ali but happy to answer any questions you may have!

    Leave a comment:

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