Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

$2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #31
    Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

    Good page - Dan is a very thorough guy.
    After reading it, though. It seems to me that the preinfusion may be a difference between the E61 and LaCimbali type groups in terms of ease of use. The difference in getting expetional shots is in the HX vs boiler size which simply is straight thermal inertia of the system. Basically, an E61 group commercial machine should be as good as a La Cimbali but even easier to use so a commercial Faema E61 may be the ultimate HX machine. Dual boiler is still a lot simpler from a user perspective, though.

    Greg

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

      One of the wonderful things about the world of espresso is that theres so many different aspects to it that the perfect machine varies dramatically one person to another. LOL The debate over what is the perfect espresso machine has been going on for a long time, and Im sure will be going on long after were both pushing up daisies. ;D ;D ;D

      Java "I want Gods espresso machine!" phile
      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

        Yep, ruler flat vs L sloped vs humped temp profiles, preinfusion cycles, rotary vs vibe pump (vs manual lever), extraction pressures... What else can we add?

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

          Kaanage what about adding "Practicality"?

          FB

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

            Fineness of the grind, consistancy of the grind, hardness of the tamp, concave or flat tamper, and probably most importantly, the thickness of ones wallet and the willingness of ones Significant other to put up with our madness!! ;D

            Java "Wishing his wallet were thicker" phile
            Toys! I must have new toys!!!

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

              water quality, depth/diameter of basket...

              Beans come in somewhere, dont they? :P

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                ...the thickness of ones wallet and the willingness of ones Significant other to put up with our madness
                ...the willingness to put up with our madness is in direct relationship to the thickness of wallet spent on "our toys" which is proportional to the amount you are expected to splurge on her next birthday.

                (Unless of course you can justify buying her the toy as a present, thus saving you spending double.)

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                  Originally posted by Andy Freeman link=1113217910/30#36 date=1113837421

                  ...the willingness to put up with our madness is in direct relationship to the thickness of wallet spent on "our toys" which is proportional to the amount you are expected to splurge on her next birthday.

                  (Unless of course you can justify buying her the toy as a present, thus saving you spending double.)


                  If you can convince her that your new toy is actually the perfect present for her then you should get the Salesman of the Year award!! ;D ;D ;D

                  Java "Hhhmmm...New toys are good to have!" phile
                  Toys! I must have new toys!!!

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                    On the $2-2.5 k machines.
                    For any interested parties I am open to doing a demo/comparison of the Diadema Junior or Splendor v. Giotto. These machines are all lever operated.
                    To me they are all excellent machines and the end choice would come down to the purchaser. As mentioned in previous posts, I would be happy to have either one on my kitchen bench. They both make excellent espresso and do a pretty good job at the milk texturing.

                    JD you said:
                    "In addition... all things being equal... could your average punter recognise the difference between a shot from a Silvia and one from a $2000 + machine?"

                    In a side by side comparison using the standard basket that comes with the Silvia and the basket that come with say, the Diadema or Giotto, then the average punter looking at the pour would see a difference between the machines.
                    The Silvia does a pretty awsome job for its price. I always enjoy using her. I actually used the Silvia instead of my commercial machine over the weekend to make my shots.

                    However, when you step up to the $2k mark you would expect a lot more. And I believe you do get it. The extraction on the Diadema or Giotto is different to the Silvia.
                    I have done the side by side comparison a number of times. Using the same bean, grinder, dosing and tamping method. Although the Silvia extraction is excellent, in comparison it is a little thinner and not as full in body. The crema is usually also a little lighter. This difference is also reflected in the taste.

                    John

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                      Hey Pinot,

                      Id be VERY interested in seeing the Diadema Junior Lever versus Giotto Premium comparison as these are the two machines I am most interested in stepping up to.

                      For me, the catch is timing, since I wouldnt be able to do it before May 3.



                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                        C
                        May is not a problem.
                        Give me a call when you are ready to purchase and we can set up a time.
                        John

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                          Thanks Pinot,
                          Looking forward to seeing the two machines in action side by side. Ill contact you in early May.
                          Robert

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                            Pinot,
                            re: side by side comparison of Silvia v E61 machine WRT shot quality
                            You mentioned that to tell the difference you should use the baskets that come with the machines. In an articale by Alan Frew (http://www.coffeegeek.com/opinions/alanfrew/05-24-2003) an argument is put forward that the difference between expensive machines and cheap machines comes down almost entirely to the basket size (when considering shot quality alone) - that is, if you put the larger basket in the Silvia, its difficult to distinguish between the machines. I understand that there are plenty of other reasons to get an expensive machine, but I would be interested to get your take on this particular aspect.
                            What do you think? If you used identical baskets - could you tell the difference?

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                              IME, ease of use is the big advantage of the prosumer (or semi-commercial as one poster insists) machines vs the dual purpose boiler ones since they are more temp stable. This makes it easier to get that best shot out of the machines (and the commercial HX machines have a similar but lesser advantage over their prosumer brethren).

                              Greg

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: $2000 - $2500... what would you choose?

                                kanaage,
                                Good point. Another reason why I would be tempted to buy an HX machine is that I would like to cut down on the time taken to make a milk-based drink.
                                I have a Silvia, and I find it great - although there is still some variability in quality which *could* come down to temperature. I am afraid to say that it is probably more likely to (gasp) human error! I have never used an HX, so I cant comment.
                                I must say though - I am still keen to see what some people have to say about the basket size. Is temperature variability minimal when considered next to the basket size issue between Silivas and "prosumers"?

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X