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  • #16
    Re: Mid range coffee machines

    You definately need a grinder. So Silvia/Rocky combo is what I would recommend. You wont make the coffee you describe without grnder. I recently went to this combo and havent looked back. Fottprint of the 2 combined would be about the same as the Saeco X!!@box.

    I dont worry about all the temp surfing stuff too much unless I have time. Good luck with the trouble & strife, just keep her lubed well with coffee.

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    • #17
      Re: Mid range coffee machines

      Hi Coffaholic,

      We stock the NS Oscar because we believe that it represents exceptional bang for your buck, although I did have to make a few minor tweaks to get it performing how I wanted it to If you would like the skinny on the machine - warts and all - please feel free to contact me. And, yes, it has a plastic shell and makes no apologies for it!

      As others have said, it is more important to focus on the grinder than the machine if you dont have one already. Generally, I think that there are four categories of grinders that you can look at:

      *Ones that are unsuitable for espresso (ranging from anything from $50 to several thousand dollars - believe it or not!)

      *Grinders that deliver great espresso, but that are not built to last (ranging from $250 to $500)

      *Grinders that deliver great espresso and are built like a tank (ranging from $500 upwards)

      *Grinders that are complete and utter overkill, but damn we all still want them (were talking a few grand here)

      Whatever machine you get, you need to make sure that you have a grinder that is in the second or third category.

      Hope that helps,

      Luca

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      • #18
        Re: Mid range coffee machines

        Originally posted by atsirab link=1193655967/15#15 date=1193704891
        You definately need a grinder. So Silvia/Rocky combo is what I would recommend.
        Agreed; but I think the opening post suggested the grinder acquisition was going to be dealt with separately and that the $1200 budget was for just the machine; in which case there are other options than the Silvia.

        Greg

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        • #19
          Re: Mid range coffee machines

          I have an oscar and a giotto. There is no doubt that the giotto is a much better looking, and nicer machine to use - but splitting the performance is much more difficult from my perspective. Bigger budget buys bling - but Im not so sure the extra spend is worth it if you are simply looking for performance improvement. Id be happy to share any element of my experience with the oscar should this be of interest. Mine is black - it isnt ugly by any means, but it isnt stunning stainless either. Next to a grinder with black and stainless finish (aka rocky) it looks pretty good to me.

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          • #20
            Re: Mid range coffee machines

            Well I was very happy with a Sllvia/rocky combination.  I did not find the wait time between brew and stem a problem.  
            But now I am completely blown away.   I added a PID to Silvia.   Okay I only have one boiler but then I am not a coffee bar!  The PID controls the brew temp and also gives me an accurate temp of the steam in the steam cycle.  I steam at 140C (element still on) and I have more steam than I know what to do with. Somehow I am building up the steam temp very quickly and I am often caught short with not having the milk ready - no explanation for this.
            Sure it make the total cost is quite high for all the bits and pieces.  But the Jims PIDs fit so well with silvia that you dont know it is an addition.  The total cost was roughly  750 +350 for Sivia and 450 for Rocky (absolutely essential).  I know this puts Silvia in another class and she is beginning to compete with twin boilers  but the good news is that my electicity supplier does not complain.  Once hot she only sips at the current.  Her steam is dry.
            My desire (lust) was for a Cimbali Jnr but they are over $3000 and I think draw 15 amps and are best plumbed in - for 2/4 cups of coffee!!!!!  
            Dumiya

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            • #21
              Re: Mid range coffee machines

              Hi everyone

              Wow thank you guys and ladies for all of the posts so far . Sorry I had to catch some ZZZs but I am back checking out your replies ;D

              The Domobar Levetta is a nice looking machine and it is around the right price how much different from a Silvia is it? Has anyone got any experience with these two machines. I guess I am asking because they seem sort of similar when you go from the Silvia up to say an Expobar eb-61 leva as was also suggested you notice a huge jump in the boiler size. However the Domobar Levetta has a .75 liter boiler as opposed to the 1.3 and 1.8 liter boilers in the much dearer machines, so how does it compare to the Silvia and how do both the Silvia and the Domobar Levetta compare vs a $2000 machine?

              Excuse my ignorance but when you guys say a HX machine what exactly do you mean.

              I have to admit I looked at the oscar and wow it really is an ugly duckling but it sounds like a decent machine.

              To answer your questions Re a grinder, I figured it would be easier to wrangle the purchase of a nice grinder or even an intermediate grinder after I have the coffee machine that requires said grinder. However I have certainly paid heed to all of your posts regarding the importance of grinders and would certainly invest in one ASAP after I get the coffee machine. I expect to ask you all for some suggestions in the near future however rather than cloud the issue with grinders at this stage lets bring on the coffee machines.

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              • #22
                Re: Mid range coffee machines

                Check out this explanation of heat exchanger machine basics - under the heading of single boiler dual use

                http://www.home-barista.com/forums/espresso-machines-101-t368.html

                The oscar is the cheapers new HX (heat exchanger) machine available that I am aware of.

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                • #23
                  Re: Mid range coffee machines

                  Hi TimO

                  Thanks for the great site that certainly helps me out. Great explanation. Makes the price difference seem more reasonable when you know your getting 4.5 kgs of brass in your coffee machine thats a lot of metal.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: Mid range coffee machines

                    Its not just the brass; single boiler machines like the silvia and levetta use all of their water volume to brew. A HX keeps a lot of that water above 100deg and only a small amount passes through it to get to the right temp at the brewing group. So you need a lot more water in a HX machine as the total volume is doing more than just supplying the brewing group, so its not apples with apples. If that makes sense?

                    Greg

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                    • #25
                      Re: Mid range coffee machines

                      Hi Coff,

                      As Greg has correctly pointed out, there is a significant difference between Silvia and VBM Domobar- Just pick them both up

                      3 CSers have purchased the VBM Levetta (2 new and mine) in the last few days so Im hoping that we might see a review up here sometime soon!

                      Chris

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                      • #26
                        Re: Mid range coffee machines

                        Hello All

                        Once again thank you for your helpful information and for generally mucking in and answering my questions. Just thought that you may like to know that I have closed a deal for a New Unico Splendor from Talk Coffee this morning.

                        Yes I know uhm not exactly in my budget range but .... I am sure you have all been there I love a good coffee just like anyone whos been looking at this site I held back for as long as I could. I hope to receive the new machine this Wednesday. I can almost smell the aroma of fresh coffee ... I can just about taste the that smooth flavor with just a hint of chocolate at the end of it. Sip ahhhhh I can hardly wait.

                        Anyway I shall keep up with the latest here and hopefully Ill pick up some tips for making my coffee taste just a little better.  

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                        • #27
                          Re: Mid range coffee machines

                          Coffa

                          Im sure that Chris will look after you splendidly, very nice machine that Splendor Im waiting for one to be unloved so I can pull one apart....

                          But Im just odd like that.

                          Good purchase and Im sure youll get many years of enjoyment out of it
                          Sullo

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                          • #28
                            Re: Mid range coffee machines

                            Its en route to you Coff and, if the TNT planets align and they have promised that they will, you should be in Unico heaven on Wednesday.

                            Congrats on your purchase and I hope you have many years of pleasure from your new machine...

                            Chris

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                            • #29
                              Re: Mid range coffee machines

                              Congrats Coff - you certainly blew the budget...but in a very good way!

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Re: Mid range coffee machines

                                Yes, very nice.

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