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  • Suggestions for a machine around the 5K mark

    I'll try and be brief because to be honest I am still mad

    Short story is we took the Splendor in for a service and the news wasn't good. We have decided the money spent fixing it would be better off being put towards a new machine and hubby will have a tinker with the Splendor when time permits. The repair place has told us it should limp along for a while longer but we should be looking at replacing it.

    We have gone back and forth between ECM Synchronika, Profitec 700, Bezzera Matrix, Izzo Duetto IV, Profitec 800 and I am sure there are some that escape me.

    Can anyone who owns/has owned any of these machines chime in? Or maybe there is something else to consider.

    Thanks Sue.

  • #2
    I have the Profitec Pro 800 and LOVE IT. But it is a lever machine and significantly different to the others on the list. I would definitely look at a few videos and get a demo from a sponsor before pulling the trigger on that.
    Build quality is great, servicing your self is pretty easy and shot quality is superb.

    Can you also share a little more about your preferences for a machine and your drink(s) of choice? Things like a PID and wanting to be able to tinker/be a hobby vs just want to get a coffee in the morning might push down one path over another.
    Once you work out some of those you can also get a quote from the site sponsors in the link below.

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi WEBN,

      I do currently have a lever, Europiccola, I realise the La Pav and Pro 800 are probably very different animals but I figure a change isn't a bad thing. To be fair I don't even know if I could reach the lever if I got one but it was a thought.

      Drinkwise, usually around 2 lattes and 2 espressos each day weekdays, weekends my oldest is home and he may drink 2 or 3 lattes a day. We're not entertainers and if people do come over, I try and avoid making coffee 😁

      PID would be great, roatary pump and dual boiler would also be good, tinkering probably not at the moment but the option to play a bit later might be good. I would like to "future proof" things a bit if possible.

      Unfortunately a combo of bad water advice and no longer available parts needed are what leads us to buying a new machine sooner than we planned.
      We are also looking into our water filtration options.

      Comment


      • WhatEverBeansNecessary
        WhatEverBeansNecessary commented
        Editing a comment
        Any lever takes a little practice to get familiar with - the learning curve isn't as large on the pro 800 or a similar sprung lever as it is on a pavoni. However it does take showing a partner, friend or guest how to use it a couple of times to get the hang of it.

    • #4
      Had a ECM Synchronika and thought it was one of the best quality machines I've owned, maybe THE best. A joy to use. Think about asking site sponsors for a quote using this link too: https://coffeesnobs.com.au/SponsorQuotes you may get some great deals

      Comment


      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        I think deep down the Synchronika is what I have my heart set on.

        Will do.

      • tompoland
        tompoland commented
        Editing a comment
        It's a beautiful machine and I still regret selling it.

    • #5
      I have a lever pavoni (well 2 maybe...prof and a eu) for 25 to 28 years.... pulled close to 50k shots..... and recently had $5 to $7k or so to spend on a machine (wife had the kitchen redone so I leveraged the opportunity)..... anyway.... I considered most 4k to 7k machines.... prof 6,7 and 800, ECM Sync and a host of others.... in the end I wanted.... something that looked and felt like a proper coffee machine (no computer box), reasonably quick heat up (20 min max), some ability to do basic profiling etc..... I ended up with a sync.... 4 months on now and happy.... I bought the lazy version.... no stainless to keep mark free (OCD wife).... now one pavoni is in the van and one is in the car.

      Click image for larger version  Name:	52347555259_d521c82146_c.jpg Views:	0 Size:	73.9 ** ID:	927951

      Comment


      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        Good job on the bargain.

        Funny thing you mention the steam difference between the La Pav and the Synchronika because just the other day I was saying to hubby how much quicker the La Pav steams over the Splendor.

      • roosterben
        roosterben commented
        Editing a comment
        Little bit off topic, but is that the Lelit Flow controller? Or is it the ECM one with a Wooden paddle.

        Asking as I have a Synch with the latest Coffee Sensor flow control fitted, my range to close off pressure would require more movement than the above. To fully close flow the Coffee Sensor device requires basically a full 360 rotation.

        Look great with the wood bits!

      • Noelpolar
        Noelpolar commented
        Editing a comment
        It's the ECM one.... I assume when you say "more movement"...... you are running the machine in free flow mode? ie.... no coffee in the basket? A flow rate test at various 1/4, 1/2 etc with no coffee in the machine.... really almost tells one nothing..... in my view. Fwiw.... I think more from closed to how far open it needs to go to get full possible flow when extracting coffee.... I find about 200 or so degrees rotation does this.... opening more then that doesn't contribute any more pressure drop across the basket.... or flow.

    • #6
      Hi Sue, I think as you already have a lever the Pro 800 should be worth being on your list. If that was on your list I would also consider the Alex Leva or Valexia - https://www.casaespresso.com.au/izzo-valexia-leva.html That said all the others have their merits but definitely wouldn't rule out a full size lever, they are very easy to live with.

      Comment


      • 338
        338 commented
        Editing a comment
        My wife is 5ft 2" and finds it very easy. I thought the lever may be heavy for her but she has found it easy and loves the coffee it produces.

        Interestingly when I first got the Valexia we placed it on a normal kitchen bench and then on 150mm high bench I made for the previous Lelit (to bring the Lelit up to an easier height to observe the pour) and my wife was still quite comfortable with the lever.

      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        I am 5ft 2 myself so that is sure handy to know.

      • tompoland
        tompoland commented
        Editing a comment
        Hmmm ... 338 if IrisGanache is the same height as your wife, are you quite sure they are not one in the same person? Miight be worth checking where your wife is next time "Iris" (if that's her real name!) is online?

    • #7
      I have had the Pro 800 for several years and it is easy to use and produces excellent coffee. Photo attached for inspiration.
      Attached Files

      Comment


      • Beanz.
        Beanz. commented
        Editing a comment
        Iris a couple of things that made the Pro 800 stand out for me was that it can be plumbed in or run from the in built reservoir. The standard 58mm gives you many options such as a range of baskets eg VST if you want to experiment and play around and you wont have to change tamper size either. Silicon piston and group seals and upgraded shower screens are all readily available if you chosse to follow that path in the future. Maintenance is easy, changing and lubricating the piston seals can all be done at home and does not require any special tools. Don' t forget the fun factor with a lever, you will just want to make coffee at every opportunity

      • WhatEverBeansNecessary
        WhatEverBeansNecessary commented
        Editing a comment
        beanz Can confirm I do indeed make a coffee at every opportunity.

      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        beanz I want to stick with 58mm as I have IMS baskets and I forked out for a PuqPress barely a month ago plus my lad bought me a Motta tamper that I really love using.

    • #8
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhPUloY_jgw

      Here is a lady making it look as easy as it is

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EOd0-DFWFE

      and another

      It really is easy compared to a small lever, no temp surfing, etc





      https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equ...izzo-alex-leva

      Sixty pages of happy lever ownership

      Comment


      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        Woah! Some light reading for tonight I think. Thank you.

    • #9
      Hi Sue,
      At this price they will all be good machines. I think similar to comparing high end BMW V Merc's
      My experience -I have had my Alex Leva for 7 years. I still love it and would buy the same again tomorrow
      Brilliant shots, no back flushing, brilliant build quality, silent, simple machine with little to go wrong,I service it once a year myself
      Good luck with choice Cheers
      Dave

      Comment


      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        Thank you, that's what I thought, at that price it probably comes down more to aesthetics than anything.

    • #10
      Agreed Dave. They are simply superb. There is something about that LSM group for mine.

      Nurri has taken it to a whole new lever with the L-Type SA which offers a tank, dual boiler, cartridge heated group and the ability to set preinfusion pressure as well as flush it - but they're very rare at present and the first Australian shipment has sold in advance of it landing. It will be 2023 before more arrive. I have had the luxury of a pre-production one to play with for nearly 12 months. It's brilliant.

      It is at a different price point though and beyond budget for the OP.

      The Izzo Alex Leva is a stunner, but needs to be plumbed. In Adelaide where Sue is, you're then factoring the additional expense of a flojet and bottled water or remineralised RO. A bonus for the Alex is the copper boiler which will survive better where water quality is poorer.

      Comment


      • WhatEverBeansNecessary
        WhatEverBeansNecessary commented
        Editing a comment
        The Pro 800 also has a copper boiler

      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        I have seen the Nurri online, it's not out of the question but haven't really done any thorough research on it.

        Water is a whole new headache, I have already pretty much lost one machine to bad/conflicting advice, I am not prepared to lose another.

    • #11
      Originally posted by IrisGanache View Post
      I'll try and be brief because to be honest I am still mad

      The repair place has told us it should limp along for a while longer but we should be looking at replacing it.
      .
      You may have your heart set on an upgrade and the excitement that goes with it but did they say what was wrong with the old machine? Maybe a second opinion.

      That aside, I recommend the Izzo.

      Comment


      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        Ok so off the top of my head, it was a lot of info to take in, scale build up and the unavailability of parts, namely the housing that sits at the back of the steam arm that sits inside of the machine. The pressure keeps going too high but hubby is going to fit a new pressurestat when we pick it up. They also said they could possibly fit another steam module, or whatever it's called, from another machine but there were no guarantees. Hubby decided all the money spent on trying different things would probably be better off spent on a new machine. That said, hubby is an electrical engineer, coffee machines aren't usually part of his repertoire but he does have the nous for these things so he is going to have a play with it and see what is what.

        We have been planning an upgrade for a while but was hoping for more the beginning of next year or over the Christmas break, not just yet.

      • noidle22
        noidle22 commented
        Editing a comment
        I swapped steam and hot water wands from a Profitec 800 to my old Unico Splendor, was a direct fit. Basically any valve from 90% of machines will work, it's fairly standardised.
        Unless it's got a hole in the boiler, there's nothing in that machine that will render it non viable for repair.

      • IrisGanache
        IrisGanache commented
        Editing a comment
        That was helpful noidle22 thank you.
        I was under the impression anything can be fixed on these machines bar a hole in the boiler.

        I am pretty confident that there are no leaks anywhere aside from the steam arm. I guess we will find out when hubby benches it.

    • #12
      Ok so off the top of my head, it was a lot of info to take in, scale build up and the unavailability of parts, namely the housing that sits at the back of the steam arm that sits inside of the machine. The pressure keeps going too high but hubby is going to fit a new pressurestat when we pick it up. They also said they could possibly fit another steam module, or whatever it's called, from another machine but there were no guarantees. Hubby decided all the money spent on trying different things would probably be better off spent on a new machine. That said, hubby is an electrical engineer, coffee machines aren't usually part of his repertoire but he does have the nous for these things so he is going to have a play with it and see what is what.

      We have been planning an upgrade for a while but was hoping for more the beginning of next year or over the Christmas break, not just yet 🤷

      Comment


      • #13
        I have the Profitec Pro 700 which I love and would highly recommend, however, if I had my chance again I would have purchased the ECM synchronica. I tossed up between the two and went with the Profitec as I was not sure of the paddles/levers. Now I wish I had the paddles. Whatever you go with, make sure you have flow control.

        Comment


        • IrisGanache
          IrisGanache commented
          Editing a comment
          I really like the idea of the paddles, it is one of the things that is steering me to it. I do like the idea of the flow control too.

      • #14
        IG, You have been here a while and have a keen interest in coffee. You also have another machine to get you by. I would suggest you say to yourself you wont purchase for at least a fortnight to give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the process and enjoy going down all the little side tracks looking at new machines will take you. I am sure your priorities and top contenders will change a few times in the journey.

        Comment


        • IrisGanache
          IrisGanache commented
          Editing a comment
          The La Pav is slow going but the Splendor was working fine when I took it for a service so there isn't any great rush. To be honest I am more concerned about the water issue at the moment.

      • #15
        I own a synchronika, absolutely love it. The bezera and the profi 700 were on my radar but I decided to pay a bit more over the profi and I wasn’t a fan of the bezera and a few gripes about issues with them. Any machine can be a lemon though, I never considered the profi lever or any lever as I would prefer the semi auto machines. I’m sure one day I may own one but I might look towards the flair 58 rather than a full blown machine. Goodluck with whichever you decided. I purchased mine through dipacci one of the site sponsors and had the flow control and naked p/f thrown into my package

        Comment


        • IrisGanache
          IrisGanache commented
          Editing a comment
          I really like the look of the Bezzera but have read some of the concerns about it too.

          Will be looking at the flow control as well if we go the ECM route.
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