The forthcoming Rancilio price rise has spurred me to make my first post, although I probably wont get around to buying until early May.
After three years of faithful service, my Gaggia Carezzas aluminium boiler is starting to corrode rapidly causing the group head valve to get wedged open and leak as a result of the crud floating round inside, ruining temperature stability. Despite cracking the machine open to clean out the boiler and replacing the grouphead valve, the problem continues so its (almost) time for a new machine.
It will be sad to see it replaced, being my first machine.
My new machine will generally be used for espressos, with 1-2 milk drinks per week. It will be mated to a Gaggia MDF grinder (no upgrade needed).
After doing much reading, Ive pretty much determined the following three models are best suited to my needs, unless others can offer other suggestions.
1) the Rancilio Silvia. The $730-ish price is quite attractive. Much has been written about it. PID mods are available. etc etc. But how tricky are these to get the hang of when compared to the Gaggia? Thanks to tips from kaanage, I was able to get a pretty decent espresso from my Gaggia, but could never quite get the milk exactly right. Also, how much is the post 1 April price rise likely to be?
2) Vibiemme Domobar non-HX. I presume its still $995-ish at Hudsons (and Crivelli?). Does the extra $270 improve quality markedly? What benefits does the E61 group bring? Theres also the ECM Botticelli, but it seems to add little over the Silvia.
3) Expobar Office Pulser. Presumably over $1k (how much are they usually?). While buying this would kill my upgraditis, it would also kill my credit card and Im not sure I need a HX machine given the low volume of milk drinks I intend to do. Would also look at a Nuova Simonelli Oscar if the price was right, but they seem to have vanished from the market, which does not instil me with confidence...
So are there other candidates in the $700 to $1000 range worth considering?
After three years of faithful service, my Gaggia Carezzas aluminium boiler is starting to corrode rapidly causing the group head valve to get wedged open and leak as a result of the crud floating round inside, ruining temperature stability. Despite cracking the machine open to clean out the boiler and replacing the grouphead valve, the problem continues so its (almost) time for a new machine.
It will be sad to see it replaced, being my first machine.
My new machine will generally be used for espressos, with 1-2 milk drinks per week. It will be mated to a Gaggia MDF grinder (no upgrade needed).
After doing much reading, Ive pretty much determined the following three models are best suited to my needs, unless others can offer other suggestions.
1) the Rancilio Silvia. The $730-ish price is quite attractive. Much has been written about it. PID mods are available. etc etc. But how tricky are these to get the hang of when compared to the Gaggia? Thanks to tips from kaanage, I was able to get a pretty decent espresso from my Gaggia, but could never quite get the milk exactly right. Also, how much is the post 1 April price rise likely to be?
2) Vibiemme Domobar non-HX. I presume its still $995-ish at Hudsons (and Crivelli?). Does the extra $270 improve quality markedly? What benefits does the E61 group bring? Theres also the ECM Botticelli, but it seems to add little over the Silvia.
3) Expobar Office Pulser. Presumably over $1k (how much are they usually?). While buying this would kill my upgraditis, it would also kill my credit card and Im not sure I need a HX machine given the low volume of milk drinks I intend to do. Would also look at a Nuova Simonelli Oscar if the price was right, but they seem to have vanished from the market, which does not instil me with confidence...
So are there other candidates in the $700 to $1000 range worth considering?

,
Comment