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Above which price point do the extra $$ not make any difference?

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  • roosterben
    replied
    Wipes drool from chin! Dang some interesting machines getting thrown around!

    Still not sure this wasn't just click-bait.

    Agree with other comments, I think beyond a E61 Dual boiler with a PID (or a DE1) and a Niche you are only looking at improvements in the 2-3% range by going to Linea Mini, Rocket R91, La Marzocco GS3, Kays Van Der Western Speedster 1 group. From my point of view this is mostly reviews etc as I haven't even used these super high end machines. Others are better qualified to comment. On the grinder side titan conicals like Mazzer Robur or large flat burr grinders such as Mythos/EK43/K30 Air will improve yields slightly.
    Last edited by roosterben; 19 December 2019, 12:39 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • Caffeinator
    replied
    For me, machines made a difference all the way up to my R Nine One. Grinders made a difference all the way up to etzMAX.

    That said, a budget of up to $4k with a great dual boiler and something like a Niche grinder will deliver fantastic coffee.

    I'm looking forward to a good play with the pressure profiling top of range Crem One with a Niche: Should be a ripper combo and with change from $6k.

    Leave a comment:


  • wattgn
    replied
    Get a second hand Mazzer Super Jolly or Major $300 - $500.

    If you want a nice E61 then something like I have just a basic HX Wega Mini Nova Classic. I paid $2400 here in Perth.

    If you want it plumbed in or can plumb it in great and go for a rotary pump else get one with a tank.

    There are lots of HX machines out there but good ones with high quality components are not cheap. You should be able to get a good one about $2500 brand new. Second hand is cheaper but be aware that scaling can be a bummer as it can require a new boiler and a lot of work and stripping down to remedy.

    Smaller thermoblock machines from Breville are much cheaper but aren't so great especially for steaming.

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    There is a point of diminishing returns in both grinders and machines. It's hard to say a point where zero improvement is had for extra $$$. What is certain is that the grinder has a much bigger impact on the quality of coffee produced than the machine, so aim to spend about equal amounts on grinder and machine.

    Do you want a hopper grinder or single dosing? Do you want an EOD or doser? How much do you care about retention and having to purge coffee and discard it before grinding to make a coffee?

    I'm sure you can see the scale of goodness is not simply linear, there are multiple features that are not necessarily good or bad but will suit you better or worse.

    Leave a comment:


  • Above which price point do the extra $$ not make any difference?

    Hi Everyone,
    I'm new here so apologies if this topic has come up before. I looking for a manual coffee machine and grinder. I've read a lot the posts where people are looking for advice on a machine for their budget, but I guess the questions I'm trying to answer are how much do I need to spend on a grinder and a machine to make the best coffee possible? I understand that a grinder is the most important part. But how much do I need to spend above which the extra $$ are not improving performance? The same goes for the machine. Aside from some features, above which price point am I paying for aesthetics and gimmicks? I'd prefer to buy second hand if it means I'll be able to make better coffee.

    I guess what's important to me are the following.

    Machine
    Want a reasonably quick heat up time
    dual boiler or heat exchanger
    Must make great coffee
    Something that will last a while

    Grinder
    Only really care that it enables me to make the best coffee possible (Don't care about size, sound or appearance)

    Hopefully this doesn't leave it too open!
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