Hi all,
Ive been mulling over upgrading from my francisfrancis X3 for some time now (single boiler machine bought cheaply on evilbay - can produce an ok shot when the stars align, but group seal is starting to wear and cant find parts) and am undecided between some of the "lower-end" HX machines (e.g. Expobar Office Control SA) or E-61 single boiler machines like the Isomac Zaffiro or Diadema Perfetta.
I mainly drink espresso or short macchiatos (with a dash of cold milk) but would probably drink more milk coffees on weekends if I had a machine where it was worth frothing milk in the first place. Id only only be drinking 1-2 coffees on weekdays and 3-4 on weekends, with the occasional batch processing for entertaining groups.
Would you get a better shot from a high end SB machine? Im not sure I need an HX for the just the occasional group situation. Of course another factor is that some of the SB machines mentioned tend to IMHO look much better than low-end HX machines, and I guess for this kind of outlay and kitchen space infringement you want it to look good!
If any CSers have any advice about performance, build quality, useability (esp on steam on SB machines) at the lower end of this price range, itd be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dennis.
P.S. Ah, its great to finally get to write this post on a weekday. CS is blocked at my workplace! Am home on paternity leave with a newborn, and since Im awake all the time anyway its been great having home-roasted coffee all day!
Ive been mulling over upgrading from my francisfrancis X3 for some time now (single boiler machine bought cheaply on evilbay - can produce an ok shot when the stars align, but group seal is starting to wear and cant find parts) and am undecided between some of the "lower-end" HX machines (e.g. Expobar Office Control SA) or E-61 single boiler machines like the Isomac Zaffiro or Diadema Perfetta.
I mainly drink espresso or short macchiatos (with a dash of cold milk) but would probably drink more milk coffees on weekends if I had a machine where it was worth frothing milk in the first place. Id only only be drinking 1-2 coffees on weekdays and 3-4 on weekends, with the occasional batch processing for entertaining groups.
Would you get a better shot from a high end SB machine? Im not sure I need an HX for the just the occasional group situation. Of course another factor is that some of the SB machines mentioned tend to IMHO look much better than low-end HX machines, and I guess for this kind of outlay and kitchen space infringement you want it to look good!
If any CSers have any advice about performance, build quality, useability (esp on steam on SB machines) at the lower end of this price range, itd be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Dennis.
P.S. Ah, its great to finally get to write this post on a weekday. CS is blocked at my workplace! Am home on paternity leave with a newborn, and since Im awake all the time anyway its been great having home-roasted coffee all day!

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