Well after reading this thread and watching a few YT video's I lashed out and bought a ECM Technika from our friends at Eastlink Espresso. Should arrive next week. I'm excited.
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Time for an upgrade, ECM or Rocket
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What made you go with Technika over others?
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Well in the end the build quality and the height of the group head. I know that sounds a bit funny but I have grown accustom to my latte glasses/cups. And if you think about it. The machines in this price range (generally) will all make a good coffee. So it is the details, your own peculiarities that make a difference.
And my experience?!
Vittorio and the team at Eastlink Espresso made the buying process pretty seamless. The first impression of the ECM is that its built like a Mercedes car and has the flair of an Alfa. Solid. Very quiet (one of my main criteria) and the coffee, smooth as silk. Same beans (I use Capra coffee, generally the Bellarine Blend), what a difference! The chocalatey tones are all over it - whereas with the VBM Domobar Jnr they were molassis!!!!!
My glasses do fit under the group head, even better than the VBM, and did I mention quiet? The ECM Technika is quiet!
The whole experience is fantastic. Put me down as a recommender for ECM Technika
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Interesting thread. Can anyone comment on copper vs stainless steel boilers? I think it is an important consideration for us in the West? I think I'm sticking with copper which means ECM is out.....
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The decision to go with a Copper or Stainless boiler is related more to the susceptibility of the s/s boiler being affected by chlorine compounds within the mains water supply. At elevated temperatures and pressures with chlorine compounds present, s/s is susceptible to a phenomenon called "Pit Corrosion" from the inside. It is essential that all chlorine compounds are removed prior to the water entering the s/s boiler. Copper is unaffected in this way...
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As your W.A. you do really need to consider filtration, no more than consider, actually use filtration.
Whether copper or s/s.
Having been here since 2004 Im sure you've read this prev.
Rocket.....RNineOne? R60 even? or one of the Chronometer/
GL
Everyone here will want to know what you choose...let us know.
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I have been serious about upgrading my ECM Mechakita IV full size vibrating pump with installed flow device to ECM Synchronika or its a overkill making mainly 2 cups a day sometimes more when have guests around. Won't make the move until i get a guaranteed better tasting shots.
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Nothing wrong with the Mazzer Mini, a little slow but output is high quality...
I suppose you could then think about an espresso machine that offers the ability to customise the shot profile in various ways. Don't know if the Sync. offers that as an option but something to think about.
Mal.
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Gary I see the step ladder of espresso like this .......so some patience needed here and play along at home pls....Originally posted by GARYCAMP View PostI have been serious about upgrading my ECM Mechakita IV full size vibrating pump with installed flow device to ECM Synchronika or is it a overkill making mainly 2 cups a day sometimes more when have guests around. Won't make the move until i get a guaranteed better tasting shots.
1/ Very best fresh roasted coffee - Yes you could make fabulous coffee with these beans, however more is required.
And Yes you could also make terrible coffee ....!
2/ *Note yet...see this later, below
Now pls continue
3/ Grinder - I have an exceptionally good consistent grinder - Now can I make fabulous coffee ?
Well you can, But further quality inputs will go a long way to producing what your palette craves.
Pls keep up now.
4/ Machine - I have a stonking good espresso machine.
Hey My Italian mate comes over occasionally And I have to lift him up off the floor as he wails, slobers and cries all over it.
Now can I make great coffee ?? Well you could but its not guaranteed.
After all the machine can only respond to your inputs and within its own physical limitations.
5/ Quality softened filtered Water - Much undervalued, even relegated to a 'machine maintenance' issue only.
But the difference in mouthfeel, how you taste the coffee and it sits on your tongue.
Filtration IS a sound investment and part of a great setup.
So now with great fresh roasted beans, a great grinder, a stonking good machine and even adding filtration for great water .......
Can I make fabulous coffee? Well you might, possibly will. But no guaranteee !
*2/ Barista Skills - Ahhh barista skills, Yes now I see.
So will I make great coffee now ??
Well what you put in is at least in proportion to what you get out !
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Well what was all the bs above about? Well it wasn't for Gary.As he's been here a long time and knows that and clearly more.
But for all the new CS'ers and those still to arrive ....its about this never ending machine focus.
For instance just in recent months Ive focused on some different inputs around puck saturation slower longer.
Stuff that was poo pop'ed here ? probably 10 - 12 years ago. Yet I watched someone I trust use that very technique make us a shot and whilst it didn't stand out as totally different and out of this world it certainly wasn't to the shots detriment.
Anyway Ive been playing with this and post brew 'lever' stuff as well as further variation in shot volumes...etc
There is room there for definite variation in what you taste. Worth the effort and worth experimentation.
Will it suddenly give you Australia's best in the cup shot.
Nup but still gives me better coffee than say 90 something % of what Id taste should I pick a cafe any cafe any day.
And good luck with your choice Gary.
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Very well said.
I started with the all mighty Silvia and install a PID then stepped up with experience as the Rancilio Silvia tests you all the time to make great shots.
I do make grat shots It is very expensive to upgrade to get that extra 2% better taste never stops.
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I have recently finished rebuilding a Rancilio Silvia from the bare frame to an optimally tuned piece of hardware...
The quality of the results in the cup are the equal of and maybe even better than from some of the more exotic machines I've owned and used in the past.
High quality coffee, high quality water, decent grinder and a practised, acceptable preparation technique are all very important to consistently get the best results possible from your setup. I think that once you have gotten the best out of a machine such as the ECM you have, it's more about aesthetics, great engineering and build quality, and the satisfaction and joy of owning such a machine, than better results in the cup. You would be chasing that last 1.00% of quality in the cup at what ever cost you are prepared to pay. I really doubt that most of us could honestly claim to be able to detect that last percent of improvement.
Mal.
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We are also in WA and have been advised to go with copper (our isomac tea needs its second as boiler replacement). We only use filtered water and have installed a whole house water filter for the new house but the water is bad here as you know…Originally posted by franjae View PostInteresting thread. Can anyone comment on copper vs stainless steel boilers? I think it is an important consideration for us in the West? I think I'm sticking with copper which means ECM is out.....
we are looking at the rocket for that reason (copper) . Am interested to hear which way you are leaning.
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Get the Synchronika IMO. I have an ECM for many years, and to me they are the best. My friend has the Synchronika also and enjoys the machine more than ever. I am biased as I think ECM really are very nice looking and spare parts are readily available and they are built like tanks
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