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  • Whats the best machine, under $3,000

    Im in the market for an upgrade. With a budget of around $2,500 to $3,000. Id like to tap into the passionate expertise of this site and get your opinions as to the best machine for the money. Im currently sold on the Iberital LAnna, which nobody seems to have heard of. It has a rotary pump and when demonstrated for me, made beautiful espresso and talk about quiet! But I am open to suggestions and I would love to hear yours (within reason).

    Regards Bart.

  • #2
    Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

    Bart- why not consider an Expobar Minore II- the plumbed version with the rotary pump? You will have sensational stability and quite a few spare bucks to put towards a grinder or a big pile o green beans

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    • #3
      Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

      Thanks for the tip, Ive heard good things about Expobar and I shall investigate further.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

        For those insterested in the Minore II, the following may be of help. Note that the Minore is known as the Brewtus in the US.

        This review from home barista covers the Minore I, but is also relevant to the Minore II as the Minore II only has a few additional features. This article does a great job of covering the machines performance (and even compares it to the Giotto).
        http://www.home-barista.com/brewtus-buyers-guide.html

        Download for Brewtus user manual
        http://www.brewtusgroup.com/rt

        Technical Specs and Closer look article (pdf download)
        http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/Expobar-Brewtus.htm

        Otherwise, feel free to shoot though questions here.

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        • #5
          Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

          One requirement I omitted. Machine must have a tank, it cannot be plumbed, because to do so would require drilling through granite splashback. The penalty for which may include, but not be limited to, the removal of my manhood! So says the minister for finance.

          Bart.

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          • #6
            Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

            Granite Benchtops are so 1990s, Dahling Tell the Minister Of Finance that Stainless Steel and Plumbed in Espresso Machines are the Fashion now.. But then again It sounds like you have been "Castigated" already..
            Tepin

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            • #7
              Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

              Bart:

              Yes, the hole in the bench is a potential problem. Mind you the hole is not that big, about 30mm from memory for the drain and the water line.

              The benefits are never having to empty a drip tray or fill the tank.

              Big benefit.

              I dont believe you can get espresso machines that have tanks that also have rotary pumps.

              I would certainly highly recommend the machine I have which is the Bezzera BZ40P.

              It isnt a machine in the limelight but it is very well designed and Barazi give excellent service.

              It has a 3.4L boiler with two 1450W elements, rotary pump and built to last. I think they cost just over $3000.

              It runs from an ordinary plug. The large boiler makes it pretty well a commercial level machine but it is very handy. I use the hot water to preheat cups and I can froth and do an espresso at the same time. It also runs cooler than most hx machines which makes burnt shots almost impossible.

              My one I got second hand and is now 10 years old. It still looks like a new machine, so much so that if I told you it was new you would believe me. This is courtesy of high quality and heavy duty stainless that isnt prone to denting or scratching or any sort of corrosion or pitting. Just damned good quality.

              Anyway, it is nice to have money and get the authorisation for a new machine. Just like Xmas!

              Grant

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              • #8
                Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                Originally posted by wattgn link=1150703587/0#6 date=1150812835
                Bart:

                Yes, the hole in the bench is a potential problem.  Mind you the hole is not that big, about 30mm from memory for the drain and the water line.

                The benefits are never having to empty a drip tray or fill the tank.

                Big benefit.

                I dont believe you can get espresso machines that have tanks that also have rotary pumps. <snip>Grant
                Bart, Grant and others- the ECM Veneziano has a tank and also a rotary pump....and the beauty is that it can be switched from plumb in to tank with the press of a button.  The only issue is that $3k wont quite get you there...but it performs superbly and is a dead sexy machine- I know as I have one myself- the s1 version on the right... 8-)

                Please note that the machine now ships with cool touch Giotto style knobs and also Giotto style group handles and knobs....

                Chris


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                • #9
                  Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                  Bart,

                  I have deliberately kept out of this discussion so as not to appear to be making a bald faced advertisement for my own company but in light of all the above recommendations on all and sundry including equipment sold by people that do not support this site,  it would be foolish of me not to butt in at this point.

                  You can talk tech specs until the cows come home, you can talk vibe VS rotary pumps, you can talk heat exchangers VS multiple boiiler machines, you can talk ability to plumb in or not, in fact in these pages you can talk anything you like, but the only true professional reply to your request for "what is the best machine" is to say.....the best machine is the one you like. All and sundry can make all kinds of recommendations, but the buck stops with you and your spouse.

                  There are quite a few excellent  machines, and there are a few excellent service providers, and there are fewer service providers that also support this site.

                  Therefore, may I simply mention that I would be pleased for you to atleast take a look at the 4 models that my company sells and that can be seen on my company website, and if you like the look of any of them, feel free to call.

                  There are quite a few very happy "Fresh Coffee Equipment Clients" in this Forum.

                  Many thanks for the opportunity to present my own models.

                  Regardz,
                  FC.
                   

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                  • #10
                    Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                    Originally posted by Fresh_Coffee link=1150703587/0#8 date=1150848867
                    Bart,

                    I have deliberately kept out of this discussion so as not to appear to be making a bald faced advertisement for my own company but in light of all the above recommendations on all and sundry including equipment sold by people that do not support this site,  it would be foolish of me not to butt in at this point.

                    You can talk tech specs until the cows come home, you can talk vibe VS rotary pumps, you can talk heat exchangers VS multiple boiiler machines, you can talk ability to plumb in or not, in fact in these pages you can talk anything you like, but the only true professional reply to your request for "what is the best machine" is to say.....the best machine is the one you like. All and sundry can make all kinds of recommendations, but the buck stops with you and your spouse.

                    There are quite a few excellent  machines, and there are a few excellent service providers, and there are fewer service providers that also support this site.

                    Therefore, may I simply mention that I would be pleased for you to atleast take a look at the 4 models that my company sells and that can be seen on my company website, and if you like the look of any of them, feel free to call.

                    Many thanks for the opportunity to present my own models.

                    Regardz,
                    FC.
                     
                    Agreed! You could do a whole lot worse than give Attilio a buzz.....not only will you find that hes a great guy...but he knows his stuff too!

                    C

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                      Chris:

                      The Venziano looks very nice. I like rotary pumps. The tank is good if you like portability. I can think of one person I know who might like this idea.

                      How much did you pay for the S1?

                      Grant

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                      • #12
                        Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                        All comments so far have been taken on board. After further research I am leaning towards the ECM Veneziano A1. This machine has been given excellent reviews on other sites, and it sure does look the goods! Average advertised price seems to be around $4,250. As a newbie Im unsure of site etiquette, but if theres a sponsor out there whod like to help me out with one of these machines, please feel free to contact me.

                        Bart.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                          keen to spend $4250 on a machine, huh?

                          wanna get me one while youre at it?

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                          • #14
                            Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                            Ill take one too kthxbye

                            I do wonder when it reaches a point where I am thinking....

                            I could buy the following:

                            * That new lounge suite we desperately need along with coffee table
                            * A plasma TV
                            * A holiday
                            * A new PC
                            * Put another slab of cash aside for a deposit on a house
                            * A coffee machine for my 2-4 coffee a day habit

                            Fortunately, I am the closest thing to minister of finance in my relationship so *if* I wanted to, I could do something outrageous and go the coffee machine...

                            UNfortunately, I am too damned level headed and responsible and will probably at least end up with that lounge first.

                            Now repeat after me 100 times everyone ... "The machine I have fulfills my needs"

                            ;D

                            Lachlan

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                            • #15
                              Re: Whats the best machine, under $3,000

                              ok.

                              the machine I have fulfilled my needs ... doh!

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