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Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Venus

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  • amberosw
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    your wife is great

    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi Fraser,

    Thanks for the contact. Im sending you a personal message.

    Regards

    Trevor

    Leave a comment:


  • frasermcq
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi Trevor

    New to this game and been following your learning with much interest - as I am also in Adelaide.
    I am currently working with a single cup and a 6 cup moka (depending on demand) and getting fresh ground from the two roasters near the city. Also have one of those brass turkish style hand grinders which I havent tried yet. (And dare I say, microwaving my milk !)

    Curious as to where you plan to get the VBM from - as I saw one two weeks ago and was suitably impressed. I have been watching the prices on Silvias with interest - so with a deal more saving, a VBM could also be a reality. But still need to factor in a decent grinder.

    Thanks for the tutoring...

    Fraser

    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Thanks Andy,

    ...but its not an HX model, Thats the Domobar Super.

    The Levetta model, which Ive chosen, has a 700ml boiler, according to Chris Gleeson of ECA, which is a reasonably large boiler for a domestic machine, I am led to believe.

    Regards

    Trevor

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Originally posted by andy77 link=1191914230/45#50 date=1193035925
    Trevorbeans,
    You have made a wise choice. No waiting around to get steam for you. The hx machine you have chosen is in another league to the other options you were considering.

    have fun.
    andy
    Andy- please be aware that the Domobar is single boiler. The Domobar Super is the HX model

    Leave a comment:


  • andy77
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Trevorbeans,
    You have made a wise choice. No waiting around to get steam for you. The hx machine you have chosen is in another league to the other options you were considering.

    have fun.
    andy

    Leave a comment:


  • JavaB
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Congratulations Trevor...

    You wont be disappointed with your choice.... thats for sure!

    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi,

    Thanks for that.

    Ive done a lot more thinking in the last few days, and I am now practically at the point of
    buying a brand new....................Vibiemme Domobar Levetta!! My wife said "Go ahead and get the one you really want!" From Chriss advice, and a lot of other reports, they are a fantastic machine. They certainly look the business.

    I was under the impression they were larger than the Sivia and Venus, but in reality they are only deeper, so I can fit it in.

    Thanks for your comments nevertheless.

    Regards

    Trevor

    Leave a comment:


  • amberosw
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    sorry abt the late reply. though the silvia steam is really strong after the initial warmup i havent steamed 1 litre of milk at one go before.

    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi b4b,

    Refreshing to hear someone so passionate about a new purchase!

    Herself indoors would not be too amused at your tongue in cheek
    suggestion to rework her bench space...yes it is her space...I am but an intruder, so I must keep her happy with a non-intrusive machine.

    Im just aboutb down to deciding between Silvia and Venus, both of which Im sure are ladies with perfect manners.

    Regards,

    Trevor

    Leave a comment:


  • beanz4brainz
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi Trevor,

    I can see your predicament regarding the size of bench space, but, get yourself a piece of 2 by 4 and nail the sucker to the edge of your bench and get the VBM!

    Ive had one for only two weeks now and im in Heaven!!!!   Mind you, having said that, Ive always had a manual single boiler machine, so it doesnt bother me that I have to wait for steam and I agree with what Greg said regarding getting the milk and jug etc in the time you spend waiting to build steam pressure.   The temperature stability of these machines is terrific.   Ive had two crook pours since I got it and to find out why, I raced into the bathroom and looked in the mirror!

    The above probably hasnt helped your situation, just compounded it, but Im sure your friends will forgive your woodworking skills after they sample that nectar!


    b4b.


    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    Re: Please help me...Rancilio Silvia or Isomac Ven

    Hi Greg,

    Ive sent you a private message

    Regards

    Trevor

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • Trevorbeans
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:

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