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Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

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  • Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

    Hello everyone, Ive just spent the last 2 hours pouring over your posts and am totally addicted to this site!

    Long story short, until about 2 months ago, I didnt even drink coffee. But having been accidentally handed a quality Latte by a friend, and finding the smell, taste and kick so appealing, I have been on a crusade to find Sydneys best coffee. After experiencing some very fine coffees, as well as some exceptionally bad excuses for the humble cup a joe, and seeing as though today is my birthday (yes, its all about me!), I have been out sniffing around at the electrical stores looking for a machine so I can DIY.

    I live in the Inner West, and popped by Retravision at Five Dock and found the Sunbeam EM6910 for $597. Also offered me the SB grinder for $180. Popped home to research comparison prices on the web, and discovered a whole world of baristas officiandos (you lot) providing some really valuable advice.

    So, my budgets not really restricted to the SB cafe series (nor merely thermoblock machines), but I would like an honest opinion on a machine and grinder combo that will leave me well placed to refine my skills over time and impress my friends and family with good coffee. Would also like to make the Mrs a great cuppa in the mornings! So mostly 2 cups ata time, with the odd dinner party for 6-8. If the SB paired with a good grinder is a worthy place to start, then say so. If I need to graduate to Sylvia et al immediately, please tell me why.

    And if somebody can help me find Mr Pullmans comparo on Thermoblock versus others, that would be great.

    Happy to support our sponsors with purchases of machine, grinder, accessories and training courses once I have the right models selected.

    Hey, this is going to be as much fun as constructing my wine cellar! Look forward to much discussion!

    Cheers,

    Nippa


  • #2
    Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

    Hey Nippa, welcome

    Heres the review youre looking for: http://coffeetamper.com.au/**/reviews/sunbeam-silvia/

    As a fellow relative newbie, Im very happy with my Sunbeam combo and theres no disputing that it represents great bang for your buck. But I reckon youre right when you say its a good place to *start* - if youre serious about making great coffee on a daily basis, youll probably want to upgrade at some point! If you have the cash to spare, getting something like a heat exchanger or double boiler first up might save you money in the long run... It sounds as though you might be making a lot of milk-based drinks - if so, a single boiler (like the Silvia) mightnt be the best option.

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    • #3
      Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

      agreed with M8...BTW welcome!

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      • #4
        Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

        Hi and welcome to CoffeeSnobs.

        The Sunbeam combo will produce good espresso and has the advantage of texturing milk at the same time. There is nothing close to it in this price range which can do the same....

        Id be a little cautious of the grinder as the grind size tends to creep as the grinder ages.... to the point where many have had to be returned under warranty.....

        If milk based drinks arent a priority (or they are and you dont mind waiting for the boiler to reach steam temp) then I personally think that the Silvia is a better machine..... and the steaming ability is also better... but you do have to wait.

        Whatever machine you get, buy the best grinder you can afford... The iberital is about the lowest Id consider a quality espresso grinder (around $300)..... get a good grinder and when the upgrade bug bites (and it will ) you wont need to upgrade your grinder.

        Enjoy the journey.

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        • #5
          Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

          Thanks for the heads up guys! Good advice on the grinder...from what Iv read the Rocky sounds like a good option...do you agree?

          Nippa[hr]

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          • #6
            Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

            Yep,

            You cant go wrong buying a Rocky.

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            • #7
              Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

              Id say go straight to Sylvia and her boyfriend Rocky if you have the cash.

              Then when (not if) you get a bout of upgraditis you will get a good price for sylvia and Rocky will see you through to the next level.

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              • #8
                Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                Welcome to CS!

                Perhaps you could roughly set a budget so we can pitch it right!

                If moneys not an issue for you, then avoid upgraditis (see this thread for definition! http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1185932776) and go straight for the $2000+ HX (heat exchange) paired with Mazzer/Macap grinders (approx $700 and up). Trust me, if youre in coffee long enough, this is probably where you are going to end up anyway! Some even go further up than this, but we wont go there...

                Otherwise, the next step down is the cheaper HX which start at $1500 (e.g. Nuova Simonelli Oscar, Expobar Office) and could be paired with mid-low level grinders like the Rocky/Iberital Challenge/Junior/etc ($280-$450).

                Next step down from there is a high end single-boiler - e.g. VBM Domobar levetta (non-Super) - approx $1200+ (???) paired with above grinders

                Next step down would be the Sylvia.

                Or theres the alternative of a double thermoblock (Sunbeam EM6910) or a single boiler/thermoblock (Ascaso Duo Professional - approx $1000??) - both handle brewing and steaming quicker than the Sylvia, though steam power is supposedly not as good.

                Personally, I wouldnt go below this selection...

                My 2 cents.

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                • #9
                  Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                  Hi, and my welcome too!

                  I feel that benandfaith it up very well!

                  Your situation as described is very similar to mine, needswise, and recently I chose, after good advice from fellow CSers, a Vibiemme Domobar Levetta. I am delighted with the Levettas performance, excellent espresso quality and strong steaming performance.

                  With the relatively large boiler, (750ml against 300ml for the Silvia ), it simply means that one can texture larger volumes of milk, and potentially prepare more caps/lattes at a time than a lesser capacity machine.

                  It is a very impressive machine in all respects, and I do not regret having spent the extra over the Silvia.

                  Id urge you to have a look, and preferably also a play with the Levetta before making your final choice.

                  Good luck with your search!

                  Trevorbeans

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                    Hi Nippa welcome to CS, heaps of good advice above. I have a Silvia and its a great machine, the steam set-up is good, nice dry steam and it recharges very quickly. I do 4 shots and then steam 2 jugs of milk for latte/capos all in a very reasonable amount of time.
                    If youve got the bucks have a good look around before making your decision there are some wonderful toys out there!!!!
                    Good luck with your search..........................

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                    • #11
                      Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                      You will be surprised by what the Sunbeam can do, but I would pair it with the Rocky. I have upgraded to a commercial machine and the Rocky still serves it up fine and even enough for this baby to make excellent coffee again and again. There is certainly a sweetness (repeatable time after time too which is important) to my commercial 2 group (and all similar machines from what I can glean) that the Sunbeam cannot match, but then again the purcase price of each new is vastly different (im talking $12,000 odd pays $600 odd). I use the EM6910 at work and its running well and makes very good coffee and is really very good for texturing silky milk once mastered (and that takes quite a bit of time). The Silvia is reputed to be not only the biggest selling quality home machine but makes a sweeter shot apparently compared to the EM, but cannot steam and pull shots at the same time and I can tell you that the EM has zero recovery time and just keeps going - so you can make coffee for 10 or more people quite quickly.

                      Cheers

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                        Welcome Nippa.

                        benandfaiths post covers it well.

                        Myself I went straight for the Expobar Leva and Macap.
                        Not cheap up front but then again, I dont intend to fall victim to upgraditis and spend any more money.

                        If your budget is lower then I can recommend the Sunbeam as a good starting point.
                        Im using the older model at work, paired with an MDF grinder and it produces some good shots.
                        I did buy a Sunbeam grinder to go with it but mothballed it after a few weeks when the MDF became available.

                        Get a good grinder no matter what.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                          Originally posted by Nippasomfinkstronga link=1194403560/0#4 date=1194410639
                          Thanks for the heads up guys! Good advice on the grinder...from what Iv read the Rocky sounds like a good option...do you agree?

                          Nippa[hr]
                          The rocky has a MASSIVE following that I think was built up largely in a time when there werent that many competitors. Now there are a whole host of grinders around that price point that will produce a superb cup. Personally, I think that the new compak k3 touch basically renders the Rocky obsolete. For only a small increase in price, you get stepless grind adjustment and an extraction quality that seems to me to be in the mazzer mini league. The K3T has greater attention to detail in the fit and finish and the last time that I used one it produced a less clumpy grind than I remember the Rocky producing. And I say this as someone who owned a rocky for a few years! Just my $0.02.

                          As for the strategy generally, I think that its all very well for us to say this is good/thats good, but our writings have to be an exceptionally poor substitute for actually trying the machines out and tasting whats in the cup. I know that Di Bartoli have a bunch of machines set up in their Sydney shop; it might be worth your while giving them a phone call and playing around on their machines to get a feel of what everyones talking about.

                          Best of luck! Let us know how you go,

                          Luca

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                          • #14
                            Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                            I hevent experienced the SB but from all reports sounds pretty good. I have had a couple of thermoblock machines and both have been OK.
                            I would recommend Silvia and Rocky as a great combo. With the risk of repeating every second posting on this site - you need a good grinder.

                            All reports are that the SB is user friendly, but its all about the coffee making experience. With the Silvia you feel like a true barista!

                            Other than that the Silvia is built like a brick sh@#house, without any fancy electronic gadgets but I expect mine to last 10+ years.

                            Good luck

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Im new...I want it all...And I want it now!!!

                              Silvia is built like a brick sh.................hse, my Rocky arrived today and he matches Silvia for build quality as well, like a Sherman tank............my setup is now complete!!!

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