Coach Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 48 Location: Ohio Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Saeco Vienna Deluxe
Posted Tue Jan 20, 2004, 3:36pm Subject: Ok I've had it...machine help.
No matter where I get a capp/latte/mocha the consistancy and quality is crap. I dispise the fact I spend $3.50 for the "barista"(using that term loosely) not to care how much my coffee costs or tastes.
Well, I would like your thoughts and opinions on what makes more sense. This will be my first machine.
Here is what is important to me: - $450 to play with - Little mess, time, & simple to use - I want this purchase to last a long time - would like to enterain guests with a REAL capp/latte/mocha vs the gas station special (what a joke)
Saeco Vienna Superautomatica - Sounds to me it is completly dummy proof and the quality seems pretty good. (from the reviews I've read)
or
Francis X1 (looks cool, functions pretty good) + need a grinder.
HAL9000 Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 294 Location: Connecticut
Posted Tue Jan 20, 2004, 9:03pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia
Does that budget include a quality grinder? With a $450 cap I would focus on a quality grinder, then look at what machine I could afford.
Of course, the superautomatics incorporate the grinder, but they are somewhat more tempermental. And at that price range you are not looking at the best of the superautos, which have a tendency to break down.
The "mess" of a traditional setup is not all that bad. A great grinder paired with a relatively cheap machine may be the answer.
cafewest_tech Senior Member Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 262 Location: Medford Expertise: Professional
Posted Sun Jan 25, 2004, 9:02am Subject: Re: Ok I've had it...machine help.
We are a service center for Saeco machines and I can say that for the amount of machines we sell, the Autos come back for service less than the semi's. We have a customer that still holds the record for the most drinks in year and half with a Vienna Digital of 8,631 drinks. We have a lot of other customers that say they are up there also. They are not tempermental, but you cannot treat them like they have a 58mm portafilter. They will do the same shot time after time. They do need to be cleaned like any other machine, which most people don't. If you don't change your oil in your car, you can't blame Ford if your car blew up! If you change the tires brand you shouldn't expect the same milage from them? I'am always amazed that people will make 5 or 6 drinks on a semi before the get one to taste right but they complain about an auto because it dosn't make a perfect espresso. You can tune these machines to where they will come pretty close, but then they need care, just like a semi.
Posted Sun Jan 25, 2004, 7:22pm Subject: Re: Ok I've had it...machine help.
Coach Said:
Here is what is important to me: - $450 to play with - Little mess, time, & simple to use - I want this purchase to last a long time - would like to enterain guests with a REAL capp/latte/mocha vs the gas station special (what a joke)
Saeco Vienna Superautomatica - Sounds to me it is completly dummy proof and the quality seems pretty good. (from the reviews I've read)
The X1 will be more mess, and not as simple as the Saeco. Both will last a long time I bet (with maintenance as aabretech says). The "real" cap/latte/mocha issue I think will come down to microfoam. If you can get good microfoam with the Saeco, I'd say go for it. The X1 will be way too much mess for you I think.
Dana Leighton - Espresso hack and CoffeeGeek moderator
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