Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

HX Machine choices - Bezzera BZ10 vs Magica vs Lelit Mara X

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

  • bakerman
    replied
    beanthere21

    Ronin

    Guys thanks for the input, have ordered a Rubino ?

    Leave a comment:


  • Ronin
    replied
    Parts for the Quickmill are not an issue

    Leave a comment:


  • beanthere21
    commented on 's reply
    To be totally honest I haven't ever really used the manual preinfusion. I have an E61 thermometer added to the hex bolt hole on the brewhead. I always pull the shot as quickly as possible after the cooling flash so I don't undershoot the brew temps.

  • bakerman
    replied
    Caffinator yes obviously the higher budget the better machine and longevity but hoping Bezzera or Quickmill are of decent quality albeit might not be the pinnacle but should hold up a decent amount of years if maintained well?

    Leave a comment:


  • PeterW
    replied
    Originally posted by bakerman View Post
    Hi PeterW firstly thanks so much for the detailed info and your experiences, this is great to know (things sales staff wouldn't know).

    I've since almost ruled out the BZ10 due to the dosing restrictions, I am falling more in love with E61 style machines.

    Thats ultimately what I'm looking for in a machine is pulling the most consistent shots.

    At the moment I'm still torn between Mara X (has the tech, not quite the build/aesthetics I prefer), and now heavily considering the Quickmill Rubino (only hesitations are parts availability and doesn't have brew pressure gauge - maybe not a big deal).. and Magica still on the table but more expensive, biggest of the boilers / size on bench biggest of them all too.

    Decisions, decisions...
    Yes, it's a big decision. If you can get into a few stores to see the models you like in action it will help a lot. There are quite a few Youtube videos of the Magica and I assume the other machines you are considering.

    And I would agree with Caffeinator - spending a bit more now is worthwhile given you will be amortising that cost over many years.

    Leave a comment:


  • Caffeinator
    commented on 's reply
    All good. Be mindful that you do however take a significant hit in build quality as well as finish. A few hundred over 10-20 years dun amount to much if you can manage it in the initial period- especially if/when it comes back in repairs on a cheaper machine.

  • bakerman
    replied
    Rami a bit above the budget was only ever prepared to stay low 2k range

    Leave a comment:


  • Rami
    commented on 's reply
    No izzo? Any reason why? I have both upgraditis and analysis paralysis. So am in a sort of equilibrium

  • bakerman
    replied
    Hi PeterW firstly thanks so much for the detailed info and your experiences, this is great to know (things sales staff wouldn't know).

    I've since almost ruled out the BZ10 due to the dosing restrictions, I am falling more in love with E61 style machines.

    Thats ultimately what I'm looking for in a machine is pulling the most consistent shots.

    At the moment I'm still torn between Mara X (has the tech, not quite the build/aesthetics I prefer), and now heavily considering the Quickmill Rubino (only hesitations are parts availability and doesn't have brew pressure gauge - maybe not a big deal).. and Magica still on the table but more expensive, biggest of the boilers / size on bench biggest of them all too.

    Decisions, decisions...

    Leave a comment:


  • PeterW
    replied
    Hi bakerman ,

    I'm a long time Bezzera user, over 20 years, so can share some of my experiences with the brand. I have owned two BZ99 machines, a Magica and just a few months ago upgraded to a Duo DE.

    I have no direct experience with the BZ10 but from what I've read about it online, it appears to be a more modern version of the BZ99, i.e. an HX machine with Bezzera's proprietary group head and simple push-button controls.

    When I owned the BZ99 machines I was using a blade grinder because I simply knew no better. Shots were therefore inconsistent and I found that the Bezzera group head didn't cope with an over-filled portafilter basket - it resulted in a messy overflow. When I upgraded to the Magica I found that the E61 head was more forgiving of an over-full portafilter basket. I purchased a new grinder (a Rocky) not long after getting the Magica so my espresso quality increased dramatically. About a year later I upgraded from the Rocky grinder to a Mazzer Mini which increased my shot consistency and quality yet again.

    With my recent upgrade to the Duo DE, I'm now back using the Bezzera proprietary group head with its lower shower screen. But with a better grinder and what I've learned over the years in terms of dosing, I don't have the overflow problem I experienced with the BZ99. And there are some benefits of the Bezzera group system over the E61, at least in my mind.

    The E61 group head design has both the drain pipe and the activating lever as part of the head. I love the retro-mechanical appearance of the E61 design, but having used one for some years I must say that accessing the lever is a bit awkward because it is positioned between the group head and the water spout. This also reduces space for cups and especially so if you are using the double portafilter and pouring into two cups. You have to move the water spout out of the way each time which I know is not a big deal but I found it pesky.

    On machines with a Bezzera group head, the drain pipe is within the machine casing and the drain outlet protrudes just above the tray. This makes for more open space under the head for cups and mugs to be moved into position. And while the lever looks great on an E61 machine, I've found that push buttons are easier to user and it's less likely you will brush your hand on the hot group head (done that plenty of times).

    Having said all that, I think the Magica is a wonderful espresso machine. It makes pulling consistently good shots easy. My better half who is not interested in the finer details of espresso machines happily used the Magica every day for many years without issue. The boiler is quite powerful - I could steam a large jug of milk very quickly and it still had plenty of steam to go and I could pull shots at the same time without problem. The powerful boiler is why the Magica heat-up time seems a bit slow, but of course we are all impatient for that first coffee of the day. The Bezzera group head on my Duo is heated by elements which I think is the same on the BZ10 so that makes heat-up a bit quicker.

    Another thing, on the Magica I could put the portafilter back into the head after rinsing to keep it warm for subsequent use. I can't do that with the Bezzera group head because the portafilter seems to get stuck to the gasket. Must be just the design. Not a big deal but it's a difference.

    Regarding filter baskets and the deeper shower screen on the Bezzera group head, the standard double basket from Bezzera is 20g and I have also purchased a VST 18g basket for use in a naked portafilter. I've had no issues at all with either of them.

    Anyway, as a long-time user I can vouch for Bezzera machine quality. And as you probably already know, make sure you have a decent grinder. It makes all the difference.

    Leave a comment:


  • bakerman
    replied
    Originally posted by beanthere21 View Post
    +1 for Rubino. Had mine for 12 months and I can't fault it. The steaming power is fantastic too. Coffeearoma (site sponsor) have it at a good .
    @beanthere21
    How do you find the manual preinfusion on it, I watched a video and it looked tricky to engage (ie. had to move brew level to 8/10 on position ?)

    Leave a comment:


  • teem
    commented on 's reply
    It only applies if the machine has been unused for a while, and pulling a shot will wake up the steam boiler. If you won't prep it first then by the time the first shot is pulled you'll have okay steam power (1.5-2 bar) but you may need to wait an extra 20s for full power (2.5 bar). No issues for subsequent shots. Not a major issue, and I'd prefer that minor step than having to temperature surf the grouphead with cooling flushes like on other HX.

  • yldlj
    replied
    Originally posted by Caffeinator View Post
    Of all of those, I'd check down the back of the couch and between the car seats and then beg the rest and go Izzo Vivi from site sponsor/importer Casa Espresso.

    It's worth every single extra cent in build quality, finish, longevity and performance. It's in a different league and you can see where the money goes.
    Second this opinion. Seen one a few weeks back and it's definately a quality built machine. After seeing it in person I'm certain it's my next machine.

    Leave a comment:


  • bakerman
    replied
    Thanks guys for the responses so far, very helpful.. clearance ok thanks Ronin

    Oh more choices beanthere21, adds another one into the mix now ?

    Leave a comment:


  • beanthere21
    replied
    +1 for Rubino. Had mine for 12 months and I can't fault it. The steaming power is fantastic too. Coffeearoma (site sponsor) have it at a good price.

    Edit: you could also stretch it to an Expobar Minore at your budget. They run around the 2.5k mark.

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X