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  • Recommend me a machine

    Hi folks

    First post.

    Im in the market for a new machine after my trusty little Krups broke down after years of service.

    The budget Ive got in my head for the machine is $500, but Im posting in this section as Id rather throw in an extra couple of bucks and get a better machine. After a very brief look around these machines have tickled my fancy:

    - Bezzera Hobby
    - Saeco Via Venezia
    - Rancilio Silvia

    It appears as though the Rancilio would be the pick of those three, but are there any others I should be looking at? I should mention the machines main function is to make my doppio ristretto heartstarter in the morning before work, and a few milk-based coffees on the weekends (I dont really need a machine that can make 37 cups simultaneously )

    What say the gallery?

  • #2
    Re: Recommend me a machine

    Hi Tremolo and welcome to CS 8-),

    Assuming that you have a suitable grinder, its Silvia and then daylight. A cheapie spice cutter blade thingy will not do the job and pre-packaged ground coffee is a fast track to disappointment...

    We can do a great price on Silvia and theyre in stock for immediate delivery.

    Feel free to call or drop me a line if I can assist....

    regards

    Chris

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Recommend me a machine

      Thanks for the reply mate

      I just walked down to a couple of my local roasters to have a look at the Silvia. Nice looking machine, a bit more than I wanted to spend though @ $700.

      I know this is almost blasphemous, but I actually dont have a grinder! I buy my beans pre-ground from Merlo (at least theyre relatively fresh) every week or so. It does the job (for now). I know it would be better with a grinder, but considering Ive just bought a house and have another expensive hobby (an Alfa Romeo) I cant see my girlfriend giving an expensive coffee machine AND a grinder the green light

      Its on the cards though

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Recommend me a machine

        Hi Tremolo...welcome!
        and, you are not the only one in that dilemma, most of us have looked at prices of grinders and machines and have gone: uhh, bugger!!

        in all honesty, you would be better off to spend you money on a grinder (like a Rocky) and buy really freshly roasted beans ( or start roasting them yourself... ) and persevere for the time being with a plunger or a stove-top... you will get much nicer coffee that way than with a cheap grinder and /or pre-ground Merlo and a $600 mid-range machine... and in the process your girlfriend will start to like coffee more and more so a step up to a Sylvia is then only time...

        ultimately you would aim for a good grinder supporting a good machine... like good fuel for that great Alfa of yours.
        putting pre-ground Merlo or badly ground albeit fresh coffee in a reasonable -to -good machine (or even a great machine!!) is akin to putting diesel in a shiny new Alfa... ;D ;D

        good luck!

        L

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Recommend me a machine

          Welcome Tremelo! - With this budget might i suggest (yes ok ive got it ;-) ) SB EM6910 and matching EMgrinder. You could get a package price with negotiation. YOU NEED the grinder to go with any machine at this level - you need to get YOUR grind to suit YOUR machine. Remember your dealing with now real baskets (not krups) and they dont allow for incorrect grind.
          Also " I should mention the machines main function is to make my doppio ristretto heartstarter in the morning before work" - 6910 has very quick heat up time, and can sit on 70% heat/power consumption stand by mode if required.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Recommend me a machine

            Or you can buy both sylvia and rocky and start roasting to justify the extra money spent on them.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Recommend me a machine

              Originally posted by Lizzi link=1194401290/0#3 date=1194405579
              Hi Tremolo...welcome!
              and, you are not the only one in that dilemma, most of us have looked at prices of grinders and machines and have gone: uhh, bugger!!

              in all honesty, you would be better off to spend you money on a grinder (like a Rocky) and buy really freshly roasted beans ( or start roasting them yourself... ) and persevere for the time being with a plunger or a stove-top... you will get much nicer coffee that way than with a cheap grinder and /or pre-ground Merlo and a $600 mid-range machine... and in the process your girlfriend will start to like coffee more and more so a step up to a Sylvia is then only time...

              ultimately you would aim for a good grinder supporting a good machine... like good fuel for that great Alfa of yours.
              putting pre-ground Merlo or badly ground albeit fresh coffee in a reasonable -to -good machine (or even a great machine!!) is akin to putting diesel in a shiny new Alfa... ;D ;D

              good luck!

              L
              Top post Lizzi [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

              Mal.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Recommend me a machine

                Originally posted by lucinda link=1194401290/0#5 date=1194412524
                Or you can buy both sylvia and rocky and start roasting to justify the extra money spent on them.
                What? No push for a Gaggia Classic Cindy?? Not feeling crook I hope....

                Mal.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Recommend me a machine

                  Im having a bit of a blonde day - I would say go for the Classic/MDF combo as the cheaper option but if Tremolo can afford Sylvia and Rocky than go for it. Also the gaggia pair are in short supply atm.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Recommend me a machine

                    Thanks all. They were selling the Silvia/Rocky in a package for $1290, with a little workbench, thermometers, and other paraphernalia.

                    I wish I had cheap hobbies

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Recommend me a machine

                      Hi Tremolo,

                      You may want to check out a Lelit Combi -

                      Similar style single boiler machine to Silvia (but less solid) WITH a Lux grinder built in - for about the price of a Silvia.

                      Not sold by CS sponsors though.

                      Youve gotta have a decent grinder (Lux is supposedly similar to the Challenge in quality). And fresh beans (you dont put regular unleaded in the Alfa, do you? ).

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Recommend me a machine

                        Hi Tremolo if you can stretch the budget to the Rancilio combo go for it, I went from a Via Venezia to Silvia and the difference was amazing, it takes a little while to get to know her but when you do the results are consistently great..............................and then of course you will have to build a Corretto and roast your own beans!!!!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Recommend me a machine

                          Hi Tremolo,

                          Definitely would recommend the Gaggia Classic ... seen for under $500 delivered .... and then the best grinder u can get!


                          Jase

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Recommend me a machine

                            Alright people Ive decided.

                            I was in a rush to get a machine since my last one broke (I NEED coffee), hence the haste.

                            Im going to stick with buying my coffees from the Merlo torrefazione every morning, then eventually just spend the extra and gets me a Rancilio Silvia and a Rocky grinder.

                            Id say thanks but you lot have cost me a lot more money than I was prepared to spend

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Recommend me a machine

                              From the mouth of another proud silvia/rocky owner - You wont regret it!

                              edit: Just realised that anyone posting on this forum (or at all?) couldnt possibly regret upgrading to a bigger better espresso machine and grinder... ;D

                              Comment

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