First timer poster, long time reader. I have been given the all clear to significantly upgrade my coffee setup and have narrowed it down to 2 vastly different price tags. I have read endless reviews on both the ECM Synchronika and the LMLM (what a wonderful problem to have) The reason I am asking for further advise is I am lucky enough from my extremely understanding partner to be given the all clear for a modified linea mini. We both absolutely love the work of specht design and one in particular is her dream machine from an aesthetic point of view. I also love that same modified machine but understanding the stats internally between a stock linea mini and a ecm Synchronika fitted with flow control aside from a larger boiler on the LMLM the flow control Synchronika offers better value for money.
My drama comes in as I have managed to convince the missus that if we went with the specht modified linea mini we have to get it internally modified as well through the wizardry of Rick Bond with a fitted adjustable needle valve thus turning the linea mini into a machine with the same functionality of the slayer. Obviously these modifications increase the price quite a bit and now the fully modified LMLM is double the price of the ECM Synchronika with flow control fitted.
Are we crazy to justify that spending compared to the ECM?
Any advise from synchronika owners, flow control owners, LMLM owners, and needle valve owners (coffee machinist modified owners or slayer) much appreciated.
I am right into getting the most out of the machine and getting the most out of each shot. I do feel that the missus would have an easier time handling the needle valve mod connected to the linea mini paddle based on its 2 stage operation compared to the e61 flow control and in turn repeatability from that aspect alone is easier to achieve. That being said the absence of a timer on the LMLM brings repeatability back to a 2 horse race. *I know you can get them externally fitted or modified with display timers on the LMLM but we are aiming to preserve the minimalist aesthetic of the stock machine and any more mods wouldn't be justifiable cost wise and to be honest I'm not a fan of the overtly digital aftermarket look.
For background info I currently have a rocket appartamento paired with a Eureka atom 60 and a mahlkonig e65s grinder grinder
To help fund these purchases we will sell the rocket to fund the ECM and we will sell both the rocket and the Eureka to help fund the LMLM.
The machines initially will be tank water supply only but both may be upgraded to mains water or flow jet on a coffee cart in the future.
My drama comes in as I have managed to convince the missus that if we went with the specht modified linea mini we have to get it internally modified as well through the wizardry of Rick Bond with a fitted adjustable needle valve thus turning the linea mini into a machine with the same functionality of the slayer. Obviously these modifications increase the price quite a bit and now the fully modified LMLM is double the price of the ECM Synchronika with flow control fitted.
Are we crazy to justify that spending compared to the ECM?
Any advise from synchronika owners, flow control owners, LMLM owners, and needle valve owners (coffee machinist modified owners or slayer) much appreciated.
I am right into getting the most out of the machine and getting the most out of each shot. I do feel that the missus would have an easier time handling the needle valve mod connected to the linea mini paddle based on its 2 stage operation compared to the e61 flow control and in turn repeatability from that aspect alone is easier to achieve. That being said the absence of a timer on the LMLM brings repeatability back to a 2 horse race. *I know you can get them externally fitted or modified with display timers on the LMLM but we are aiming to preserve the minimalist aesthetic of the stock machine and any more mods wouldn't be justifiable cost wise and to be honest I'm not a fan of the overtly digital aftermarket look.
For background info I currently have a rocket appartamento paired with a Eureka atom 60 and a mahlkonig e65s grinder grinder
To help fund these purchases we will sell the rocket to fund the ECM and we will sell both the rocket and the Eureka to help fund the LMLM.
The machines initially will be tank water supply only but both may be upgraded to mains water or flow jet on a coffee cart in the future.

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