Originally posted by maxwellreid
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I went through same deal - ~7 years of happy Gaggia Classic ownership and then in late 2009 I bought new Silvia V3 (now with V4 element since Jan 2015, as V3 element died in 5 years of service, cost about $250, parts and labor to fix.).
I can only speak for espresso/ristretto - I never drink milk-based coffee, so I never use the steamer on any coffee machine.
Having said this - Silvia, if used correctly and paired with a good/matching grinder such as Rocky dozer, makes a much better espresso/ristretto than Gaggia Classic does.
If your espresso from Silvia is not a match to your Gaggia Classic - you must be doing something wrong or your grinder is not up to the task, or both.
Silvia requires a minimum of ~20 minutes of pre-heating for the first cup from cold start, its slower to warm up than Gaggia Classic.
This forum and youtube.com and many other web site will help, please don't give up!
Silvia has its warts - such as lack of PID (temp surf and be happy), protruding shower-screen bolt (easy fix, $2 flat top bolt) and IMHO you need a naked portafilter (add $80?) and good grinder (Rocky dozer or better) and fresh beans and clean fresh water.
The double basket on Silvia is 1-2 grams smaller than double on Gaggia Classic, helps to be aware of this.
You can buy a bigger double basket if you want a stronger brew, the naked portafilter for Silvia comes with a huge triple basket (24-27 grams?).
I use the standard double basket now on Silvia, fits 17 grams, or perhaps up to 18 as the absolute max (18gr = over-dosing it?).
The grind level should be about the same on both machines.
Good luck.

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