Hi Mark, Nice review. Interesting machine; looks good! Is the boiler brass? Do they have another model with a 3-way valve? Is the boiler located directly above the grouphead (like a Gaggia) or offset from it (Like a Silvia) ?
Hi Mark, Nice review. Interesting machine; looks good! Is the boiler brass? Do they have another model with a 3-way valve? Is the boiler located directly above the grouphead (like a Gaggia) or offset from it (Like a Silvia) ?
Thanks Mark... very nice review. I am still shopping for a low cost semi-automatic machine and the Innova looks promising. I did a search for the Innova machines, and came up with a couple of interesting tidbits: 1) Innova advertises the portafilter as 58mm, not 57mm. Can you confirm which is correct ? 2) Innova represents the boiler as either a 225 cc brass unit -or- as a brass or aluminum thermoblock ? Again, can you confirm which is correct for the Arc ? 3) One internet retailer in New York is selling the Arc for $700 US, and the Dream for $1000 US. Seems a bit out of whack compared to the price from Morala Imports. 4) The water tank for the Arc (2.0 liter) is actually larger than for the Elipse (1.8 l) or the Dream (1.3 l). You'd think it would be the other way around.
Lastly, when you get around to the detailed review, can you identify the major differences between the three Innova machines ?
Thanks, Mark... I look forward to the full review when it's ready. I am often recommending/helping friends and family to upgrade to espresso machines and matching grinders at budget prices. As such, I have had best luck recommending Gaggia Carrezza's and Baby's at discounted prices rather than FF!!'s. If there is any chance you could compare the Arc to Gaggia's in your full review -- even some throwaway comments based on your past experiences-- I would be appreciative. - C.
1) Innova advertises the portafilter as 58mm, not 57mm. Can you confirm which is correct ? 2) Innova represents the boiler as either a 225 cc brass unit -or- as a brass or aluminum thermoblock ? Again, can you confirm which is correct for the Arc ? 3) One internet retailer in New York is selling the Arc for $700 US, and the Dream for $1000 US. Seems a bit out of whack compared to the price from Morala Imports. 4) The water tank for the Arc (2.0 liter) is actually larger than for the Elipse (1.8 l) or the Dream (1.3 l). You'd think it would be the other way around.
Lastly, when you get around to the detailed review, can you identify the major differences between the three Innova machines ?
Shoot, forgot to address the PF issue in my first look. I've "called" them on this as well - written a letter to innova saying they need to correct that bit of misinformation.
The filter basket is 57mm. A "large" 57mm, but a 58mm tamper will NOT fit into the basket.
My test unit has a boiler. I think the all-pod version might be a thermoblock.
The US prices are very whacked out. That's all I can say. Shop around. Inquire if Morala will ship to the US. Call the NY retailer and ask why their mark up is so high.
The water reservoir in the Arc is the biggest of the three - the reservoir is essentially the entire back trunk lower portion of the machine on all three units, and the Arc has the largest back trunk of the three.
Some differences between the Arc and Dream:
- Dream's body is all polished aluminum in the "naked version" (and most expensive). - Dream has a pressure guage - Dream's body is cast aluminum throughout, a much more expensive process than plastic / steel plating. This was explained to me as the biggest factor in the almost 80% price increase.
Otherwise, the machines are near identical inside.
It does look a lot like the Nemox Junior. Good eye.
I thought using black plastic was a risky design move; this places it, visually, as a cousin to Krups' machines. All the same, using chromed metal for the "backsplash" is a very clever design - I think this must be what makes the machine look "more expensive." Interesting.
Mark, if you're reading this, care to drop any hints on when we might be seeing a Euro2000 review? :)
3) One internet retailer in New York is selling the Arc for $700 US, and the Dream for $1000 US. Seems a bit out of whack compared to the price from Morala Imports.
Innova doesn't have UL approval for these machines yet, so they aren't available in the US. The word from Innova is 2-4 months. I emailed TheCoffee.com about the price on their website. They said that the internet price was a mistake, and sent me a price list. Here's the pertinent information:
These prices still seem high, but with it not yet available in the US, it seems to me like they are probably rough estimates. This is my first post, so I feel that I should add that I am in no way affilliated with Innova or TheCoffee.com. Hope this helps!
Those TheCoffee.com prices are thru the stratosphere. You're much better off buying the machines from either Morala (less than $300 USD for the Arc), or there are other vendors in the US who do sell them. You'll have to hunt around though.
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