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  • Recommendations for a mid Range HX machine

    Hi all,

    am looking for some recommendations of a replacement machine for my Simonelli Musica.

    Shopping list
    - Well Built / Reliable
    - Cost effective Parts available in Australia
    - Quiet (mostly startup)
    - Physical Power Button (so can be timer powered on)
    - E61 head
    - PID
    - Shot timer
    - Brew Pressure Gauge
    - Preferably in the $2000-$3000 price range

    I've looked at a lot of the HX machines discussed on this forum (BZ10, Lelit Mara X) and they either don't have all of the above features or they are too compact for my taste.. I have a reasonable amount of bench space and would like a machine of the equivalent size to the Musica.

    I have come across a couple of other machines that seem to have all of the features

    - https://alternativebrewing.com.au/pr...coffee-machine - but the tank plumbing arrangement on this (feeder and return tubes to boiler) looks fiddly.. Anyone own one and are they quiet (in the same league as the Mara X)

    Bellezza Chiara Coffee Machine - the lack of hot water wand appeals, as this probably makes it less fiddly to use than the others, but the brand name makes me nervous (reliabilty, parts availability) etc.

    If I can't get anything in the above price range I'll just take the leap up to the next bracket (Rocket Giotto R or Lelit Bianca) but for the $$ these seem a bit beyond my needs (I make 3-4 milk based coffees per day and the odd expresso). Would be nice to be able to upgrade my grinder also (Eureka Mignon Specialita?)

    Any thoughts suggestions on the above?

    I've had a few issues with my Musica so reliability and availability of cost effective parts is a big thing for, as well as it being quiet enough such that can start it on a timer in the morning without waking me up..

    Appreciate any help

    Thx
    Jeff.


  • #2
    Izzo Vivi PID. You do want a hot water wand as your steam originates from the boiler water. If there is no way to draw on that water, you texture your milk with 10YO water.

    Comment


    • #3
      PID and shot timer are by nature not on most basic or mid range HZ E61 machines.

      If you are looking at cheaper machines what about the Quickmill Andreja Premium PID?

      Also they are not a sponsor so not sure if I am allowed to mention them but there is a good shop in Wooloongabba which has 30+ E61 machines on display. Well worth a trip so you can see a few machines in the flesh.

      Comment


      • JSP22
        JSP22 commented
        Editing a comment
        Yeah you are right there - particularly the shot timer.

        yep I know the one you are talking about.. Have been in there a couple of times.. Have had a poke around the Quickmill, BZ10, Mara X, Mitica etc.

        Of the compact HX machines - the Quickmill felt the best in terms of the weight of the controls etc to me.

        Can't find anywhere in Bris that has the Vivi on display..

      • Caffeinator
        Caffeinator commented
        Editing a comment
        JSP22 Casa Espresso are the importer. They should be able to point you towards a bricks and mortar operation in your state

    • #4
      To avoid a vibe pump waking you, you can turn the machine on at night to fill the boiler then set your timer once the boiler is full. This means the pump won't have to activate in the morning.

      Comment


      • JSP22
        JSP22 commented
        Editing a comment
        hmmm.. that is smart. I might try that with the Musica tonight to see if it works. Sorry for the dumb question - but I always flush after the last coffee of the day and turn the machine off, so I assume it does a check on start-up for the boiler level and fills..so 2nd time it won't need to.

      • roosterben
        roosterben commented
        Editing a comment
        Yeah my Rocket Giotto likes to pump first thing in the morning when turned on. I flick it on at night just to trigger the auto fill so it doesn't go off in the morning.

    • #5
      Personally I'd avoid buying HX machines with PID, esp those with PID hidden behind the drip tray. You're unlikely to see any improvement in the cup and it costs 3-4x more to replace when it breaks.

      Comment


      • roosterben
        roosterben commented
        Editing a comment
        Expobar Minore dual boilers have a habit of killing PIDs too, at $300 for the part they are not cheap. I hadn't thought about Rocket PID positioning but that does make sense.

      • sacsnob
        sacsnob commented
        Editing a comment
        Caffeinator On my VBM Junior with the Sirai pressure stat, whenever I turn on the steam knob the heating element almost kicks in instantly. I have no need for better steaming power for the 1-3 milk coffees i typically make a day, certainly not at the cost of PID.

      • Ronin
        Ronin commented
        Editing a comment
        roosterben my minore 3 Pid still going strong after 12 years. Lost on off the led lights recently but doesn’t effect performance

    • #6
      Originally posted by JSP22
      hmmm.. that is smart. I might try that with the Musica tonight to see if it works. Sorry for the dumb question - but I always flush after the last coffee of the day and turn the machine off, so I assume it does a check on start-up for the boiler level and fills..so 2nd time it won't need to..
      I can't figure out to reply to a subcomment but yep - even without the flush - the water will contract as it cools down thereby dropping below the autofill threshold so when it turns on in the morning it needs to refill the boiler. If you turn it on later in the day when it's cold it will trigger a refill. You can then set the timer and with the boiler being full and cold it shouldn't have to refill in the morning.

      Comment


      • #7
        JSP22 The Quickmill Rubino would fit you needs mostly. Doesn’t have a Pid or brew pressure gauge but great machine and easily serviceable.

        A shot timer imo is not as important. Timers are everywhere these days. On scales, stand alone units or even on your phone. Even Bluetooth connection on some high end ones with seperate display. Pretty cool.

        Comment


      • #8
        I have a quick mill rubino and love it.

        You could also get a nicer grinder and you'd be pulling great shots of coffee in no time.

        Comment


        • #9
          Me too, solid machine no regrets on the Rubino

          Comment


          • #10
            Thanks for you comments / advice everyone.. I ended up going with the Mara X as I am keen on a machine with a brew pressure gauge and the reviews all seemed positive on this machine.. The QM Rubino is definitely a nice machine and I would have probably gone in that direction if it had the brew pressure gauge also.

            I also upgraded my grinder to a Eureka Mignon Specialita from one of the sponsors... Good price atm.

            Comment

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