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Wow, thankyou for all the great ideas, you have all be very generous with your time and I am very grateful.
I think I shall give up the surprise present idea and take hubby shopping over the weekend so that he can have a look at the machines in person. I am leaning towards a heat exchanger machine so that we are not upgrading 12 months down the track.
Flynn_aus, I shall keep in mind that I shall be helping the economy if I spend up big and I do like to do my bit for our country.
If the $1500 is all in, then a Silvia and a Rocky will provide good coffee for years, and while upgraditis may hit, it will really be an option.
I too have the single boiler VBM and find it both easy to use and very rewarding, and went similarly up-scale on the grinder from a Rocky to a Macap M4D.
If you add up the cost of café coffees per hit, and total in the travel costs (time may or may not be an issue) the cost of the more expensive machines gets less and less. For me, its really nice to have fine cup when I want it, and its a fun hobby as well. Good luck with the search.
Well given that sd has chosen to show a picture of the see-through Levetta its up to me to show the more tangible version (see below - no, really - have a look!). I havent regretted my purchase.
I hope theres some still left. Be warned though that when you walk into a sponsors showromm there is plenty of shiny objects that may distract you from a cheaper option. Be extremely careful around the Giotto Premium Plus or the Bezzera Domus Galatea, for example. They have somewhat of the Medusa effect. If you look straight into the face of one, it may cause serious damage to your bank account (but youll be doing the economy a favour).
Originally posted by greenman link=1228883417/0#6 date=1228889448
With a $1500 budget a lot of CS members own and love the Vibiemme Domobar Levetta, teamed with a Mazzer Mini you would have an awesome set-up for hubby to play on and live out his obsession.
I have a Silvia/Rocky combo and its great, the VBM has a larger 700ml boiler for extra steaming power and is nice and shiny!!! A good tamper, steaming jug,cleaning gear etc and hes in business.
Second that recommendation!!! Buy the VBM. Its fantastic for espresso and will cope with a few milk drinks if you need it to. looks good on the bench and if you buy a good grinder you should get a good deal too. A few sydney sponsors sell them. Definitely go have a look. I bought mine from JetBlack Espresso in Mosmon and they are very helpful. Call ahead to make sure charlie or deb are there. DiBartoli in Bondi is also a great shop and very helpful.
You wont go wrong with the VBM...there is nothing really like it in the price range. Get as good a grinder as you can afford and your husband will be over the moon for many years to come. can you tell that im very pleased with my setup?? (see below)
Trish
You wont regret getting the best you can afford first up even if you have to stretch your budget
TG and I both started with great machines HX (heat exchanger machines)
And for my part I am glad I did
Never regretted my decision
Remember it costs more to upgrade later from a bad machine choice than it costs in interest for the difference.
Choose a sponsor close to you
Test drive a variety of machines get great advice from people that know and love the coffee industry as a whole.
You will not regret the after sales service that you will receive.
Its worth its weight in gold.
Good luck and please keep us updated with any progress or a short list
Originally posted by Quasar link=1228883417/0#4 date=1228886334
Thanks for the quick responses.
Im in sydney and with regard to budget I was originally considering spending around the $1500 with the grinder on top of that but can go higher to get something that will do a good job.
Any thoughts on the solis???
Cheers
Trish
With that money you can do better than the Solis.
I prefer a more hands on machine.
Less to go wrong and more fun to boot.
Yet another suggestion from yet another Sydney-based Sponsor...
By all means check out the Silvia, etc., though I would suggest that if you can afford better now, it will save future upgrades.
If your hubby is going to be the main user, then if at all possible, I would also recommend that he goes shopping with you. When it comes down to making a selection personal comfort with the equipment can have a strong bearing on the outcome.
We have a variety of machines available that can be tried side-by-side and will give you an honest overview of the pros and cons of each piece of equipment without any pressure.
If you let me know youre coming Ill make sure theres green tea for you as well!
With a $1500 budget a lot of CS members own and love the Vibiemme Domobar Levetta, teamed with a Mazzer Mini you would have an awesome set-up for hubby to play on and live out his obsession.
I have a Silvia/Rocky combo and its great, the VBM has a larger 700ml boiler for extra steaming power and is nice and shiny!!! A good tamper, steaming jug,cleaning gear etc and hes in business.
Solis are a very nice little units, I assume that with that budget you referring to the automatic one. I am not crazy about that one, I will prefer a Rancilio Combo (Silvia and Rocky) and a good tamper.
Thanks for the quick responses.
Im in sydney and with regard to budget I was originally considering spending around the $1500 with the grinder on top of that but can go higher to get something that will do a good job.
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