I currently own the newer generation of the Olympia Maximatic & when purchasing the Maximatic decided to pair the machine with the Olympia Moca grinder. I've been happy with both machines. The Maximatic is very consistent & easy to dial in with the Moca. I went with the Maximatic mostly because I hadn't plunged down the rabbit hole just yet and didn't quite understand what a lever entailed.
I've wanted to add a lever for some time now & naturally, having owned 2 Olympia products + other Olympia accessories, figured the Cremina would be an excellent addition to my setup. I've been told that if you own an Olympia you'll be disappointed in the build quality when jumping to other brands machines...hard to say if that's true or not.
Anyway, enter the Strietman...It seems to be the perfect direct lever by everyones account. Superb build quality, exceptional temperature stability, & still compact enough to be an addition to anyones espresso designated counterspace. It also seems to be the only direct lever that Cremina owners consider switching to.
I just feel a bit hung up here & I'm worried that if I go with the Strietman right now, I'll regret having not experienced the Cremina. I can eventually see the counter consisting of both the Cremina & Strietman and probably(?) a different grinder but the ability to steam milk is important so no matter what, if the Streitman gets added, there will need to be a second machine for steaming milk.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd (probably?) trade the Maximatic for the Cremina and wouldn't think twice about adding the Strietman right but who knows - the consistency & convenience of the Maximatic is a big positive. Maybe even having a Strietman, Cremina, AND Maximatic on the counter isn't that "crazy"...who am I kidding, I feel like a nutcase!!!
What would you do?
I've wanted to add a lever for some time now & naturally, having owned 2 Olympia products + other Olympia accessories, figured the Cremina would be an excellent addition to my setup. I've been told that if you own an Olympia you'll be disappointed in the build quality when jumping to other brands machines...hard to say if that's true or not.
Anyway, enter the Strietman...It seems to be the perfect direct lever by everyones account. Superb build quality, exceptional temperature stability, & still compact enough to be an addition to anyones espresso designated counterspace. It also seems to be the only direct lever that Cremina owners consider switching to.
I just feel a bit hung up here & I'm worried that if I go with the Strietman right now, I'll regret having not experienced the Cremina. I can eventually see the counter consisting of both the Cremina & Strietman and probably(?) a different grinder but the ability to steam milk is important so no matter what, if the Streitman gets added, there will need to be a second machine for steaming milk.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd (probably?) trade the Maximatic for the Cremina and wouldn't think twice about adding the Strietman right but who knows - the consistency & convenience of the Maximatic is a big positive. Maybe even having a Strietman, Cremina, AND Maximatic on the counter isn't that "crazy"...who am I kidding, I feel like a nutcase!!!
What would you do?



Comment