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Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Venus

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  • #31
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi Trevor,
    I have been watching this thread for sometime and even put my orr oar in.
    I think you have to bite the bullet. Several good machines have been mentioned. There is no perfect machine in any price bracket because at the finest point it becomes subjective. For me the perfect combination in my price range was a Silvia & Rocky. The good grinder is important. I have only just added the PID. Now it is perfect coffee everytime, I am amazed and so is my partner - but this is of course subjective and biased. Time is passing so you may need to make a random decision between the extremely good machines mentioned. Once you bite the bullet then master what you have purchased and you will be satisfied.
    Dumiya

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    • #32
      Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

      Good advice Dumiya [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

      Mal.

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      • #33
        Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

        Originally posted by Lizzi link=1191914230/15#29 date=1192431223
        after the last shot hit the steam button, fill jug, line up cups, empty knock box (temp has by now ramped up to well over 135C and can go as high as 154C) and start steaming.
        Does your PID setup utilise the controller for Steam generation too Lizzi or just the Brewing cycle?

        Mal.

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        • #34
          Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

          Hi Lizzi,

          Now thats the kind of practical information which I have been looking for...the Botticelli sounds like ( and looks ) a great machine!

          See, our problem in SA is that there are very few vendors of coffee machines and only one or two of those are prepared to demonstrate a machine! It would be very easy if I lived in the Eastern States and could choose on the basis of "try before you buy".

          I will let you know what I decide. Hoping to purchase before the end of week. Thanks so much for your input.

          Regards

          Trevor

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

            Hi Dumiya and Mal,

            There is nothing stopping me, I have the funds... the cause of my hesitation?...refer para 2 to Lizzi.

            Thanks for your comments and to all who have assisted me.

            Regards

            Trevor

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            • #36
              Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

              Originally posted by Trevorbeans link=1191914230/30#34 date=1192436811
              There is nothing stopping me, I have the funds... the cause of my hesitation?...refer para 2 to Lizzi.
              Hi Trev,

              While I understand your plight and short of being able to get your hands on as many machines of the type youre interested in, it would be really well worth your while to talk to a couple of our sponsors.... They are all Pros and will give you valuable advice regarding your selection criteria, nearly all of them service clients all over Australia so the tyranny of distance isnt as much of an obstacle as it used to be. Theyre here to help, so why not make the best use of their valuable knowledge and experience?

              Cheers,
              Mal.

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              • #37
                Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                Originally posted by Mal link=1191914230/30#32 date=1192435732
                Originally posted by Lizzi link=1191914230/15#29 date=1192431223
                after the last shot hit the steam button, fill jug, line up cups, empty knock box  (temp has by now ramped up to well over 135C and can go as high as 154C) and start steaming.
                Does your PID setup utilise the controller for Steam generation too Lizzi or just the Brewing cycle?

                Mal.
                just the brewing cycle, Mal; it may well be able to do both, but i havent looked into that.. too technical for me :P
                (nah, just lazy...)

                but when i hit the steam-button the temp peaks at about 154C, and if i texture milk with the steam button still "on" it holds the temp around 130-135C.
                i normally turn the steam "off" when i start texturing, (for small amounts of milk i cut at about 130C..) so that when i have finished, i only need to drop the temp in the boiler another 10-15 degrees through "hot-water-spouting" to get her back on brew-temp and the boiler fully replenished.

                L

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                • #38
                  Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                  Hey Trevor...

                  i sent you a PM re: demo

                  L

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                  • #39
                    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                    Hi Mal,

                    I have already been talking with two site sponsors, DiBartoli and Mark Barun.
                    Mark is getting back to me soon re Silvia demo when stock arrives.

                    Regards

                    Trevor

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                      Originally posted by Trevorbeans link=1191914230/30#38 date=1192451980
                      I have already been talking with two site sponsors, DiBartoli and Mark Barun.
                      Mark is getting back to me soon re Silvia demo when stock arrives.
                      Good to hear mate ..... Youll be looked after as a fellow CoffeeSnob,

                      Mal.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                        Hi Trevor,

                        Seems your requirements have changed somewhat since your original post. However, IMHO, the only machine that comes close to meeting your requirements is the VBM Domobar. You will need the extra steam on the days that you do make back to back milk drinks and the espresso on a day to day basis is easier as the machine is more temp stable.

                        If your budget is still circa $1.2k, there is no contest between the VBM and a Silvia. If on the other hand your budget is now closer to $800, it leads to compromise and therefore the Silvia as the only choice...I suspect that if you buy a Silvia, upgraditis will hit sooner than later.

                        Chris

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                        • #42
                          Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                          Hi Chris,

                          Ive already said my budget is up to $1,200.00 MACHINE ONLY.
                          That has not changed.

                          Ive said that my main requirement is to produce a couple of doubles per day of milk coffees for my wife and myself, plus the odd three doubles, straight off, when my family come over for dinner each week... pretty simple requirements.

                          I am NEARLY satisfied with the Saeco V/V, but not fully so. A machine 50% better than the V/V would be great!

                          My big consideration is bench space. I can fit in Venus, Botticelli or Silvia, but regrettably NO MORE. I looked at a VBM after you and others had mentioned about it. A fine machine...but too big (for my space).

                          Talked with Lizzi on the phone this AM. I am meeting up with Lizzi here in Adelaide later in the week to look at her Botticelli...she swears by it.

                          Then Ill decide between Venus, Silvia or Botticelli.

                          Thanks for your interest.

                          Regards

                          Trevor

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                            No probs Trevor,

                            FYI, the Botticelli was discontinued in Australia around 8 months ago. ECA will not be importing any more so you will most likely struggle to find one.

                            -Vibiemme Domobar Levetta 220 x 420 x 340 wxdxh
                            -Rancilio Silvia 235 x 290 x 340 wxdxh
                            -Isomac Venus 260 x 330 x 385 wxdxh

                            So, in conclusion the Venus is at least 25mm wider than the VBM or Silvia, VBM is 50mm deeper than the others- due to the larger boiler and bigger tank and the Venus has the longest legs by a whole 45mm.

                            Chris

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                              Hi Trevor,

                              Ive gotten in pretty late on this thread as I dont have any experience with the Venus so view the following comments in that light, however I may be able to help you with the Silvia side of things in a small way.

                              Firstly I imagine I know the nature of Lizzis PM, since theyre in Adelaide this week (I think it is). I have a Silvia and can probably offer a demo if this would help. I havent used the V/V to know its capacity, but your comment about needing something 50% better than the V/V would probably put you in Silvia territory. I think a demo is really what you need so you can see how each of the machines work. I know of a retailer in SA (whom you may have already tried) who used to sell the Bott, not sure if they still have stock.

                              To try to put some of the comments in this thread into context:

                              * anyone accustomed to a HX machine will always find any single boiler machine such as the Silvia to be a pain, because you dont have instant steam, so you can expect negative comments about recharge time from them which apply to *any* single boiler machine. A lot of ones satisfaction or otherwise is conditioning, what one is used to - I previously owned another single boiler machine, so waiting a couple of minutes for the boiler to get up to steam pressure and temperature is normal for me, and I suspect so for you. My greatest dissatisfaction with this factor was when I worked in a cafe and became used to instant steam. In its own right, the Silvia has more than enough steam volume for at least two decent size cappuccinos, and probably more if I used a bigger jug, and Im sure it would be adequate for you if you are prepared to wait a couple of minutes for it to initially get up to steam temperature, and then a minute or so between each jug. If your requirement is only for two cups, which I think you inferred, a couple of doubles each day for me and my wife, i.e. two milk drinks per session most of the time, then once youve pulled the shot, flick the steam switch on, and itll be up to temperature by the time youve gotten the milk out of the fridge, filled the jug and got everything ready, in which case any delay is irrelevant.

                              * in a similar vein to the above re comparisons with more expensive machines, yes the Silvia probably isnt as forgiving as a $2k machine, but its also a lot better at extractions than a $400 machine. If both are allowed to warm up the same amount, Im sure its temperature stability would be better than the v/v so on that note results should be at least as good as what youre getting, no doubt better due to other factors. I have never temperature surfed and have gotten decent results (though no doubt not as good as it is capable of), but then I drink almost exclusively milk drinks and what it produces is sufficient for me, which has to be the ultimate test. If it was inadequate I would look into things such as temp surfing or a PID.

                              * if temperature surfing is a concern or a likely consideration, at $1200 you have more than enough to get a new Silvia and a PID fitted by Talk Coffee and still have plenty of change.

                              * if you havent already, check out www.coffeetamper.com.au/**/reviews/sunbeam-silvia/ which pitts the 6910 against the Silvia. Its relevance is limited since youve ruled out the 6910, however it may give some interesting data about the Silvia

                              In summary, Im sure that either the Venus or the Silvia will give 50% better results than the v/v. The Levetta sounds to be a great machine too and it may just come within your budget.

                              Greg

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                              • #45
                                Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

                                Hi Greg,

                                Ive sent you a private message

                                Regards

                                Trevor

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