ocxespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: denver Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: miele built in superauto Grinder: n/a Vac Pot: n/a Drip: n/a Roaster: n/a
Posted Tue Aug 19, 2008, 6:03pm Subject: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
I'm a new member of coffee geek, and have NEVER posted ANYtTHING on a forum - to be honest, I'm a bit nervous. I'm a business owner who is installing an espresso station in our new office. The delemma is, whether to purchase a superauto (schaerer ambiente), or a La Marzocco Linea. I LOVE great coffee, and have had exceptional espresso from each. At home, I have a superauto from Miele -great form factor, mediocre coffee. I used to pull shots from a Krups steam driven unit back in the late 1980's, and I miss the skill needed to pull a good shot.
I'm finally at a point where I can afford a top shelf commercial machine, but I'm conflicted, and would appreciate some help. Do I go with a Schaerer Ambiente (probably better for an office setting, as it takes skill out of the mix for employees), or to be "selfish" and go with the La Marzocco. There is a 3 group Linea available locally for a good deal. To be honest, the employees don't care about the selection, as they know I'll make them coffees any time they want.
Question: Is there going to be a noticeable difference in coffee quality between the two (given some practice)? Thanks in advance for your support!
drtzali Senior Member Joined: 9 Jun 2007 Posts: 443 Location: NY Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli MAC Cup... Grinder: MACAP MK7R Vac Pot: um. Electrolux? Drip: Drop Roaster: Not that advanced yet...
Posted Wed Aug 27, 2008, 7:26am Subject: Re: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
if you have good fresh beans, a good grinder, and have decent barista skills, there will be a tremendous difference in quality, and I'd go with the LM. and if you're really willing to pull shots fr your employees anytime, then you're the best boss ever! ;)
stefano65 Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 668 Location: Eugene OR Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vibiemme,Elektra,Isomac,... Grinder: Macap,Cunill, Isomac Vac Pot: not Drip: not Roaster: not
Posted Thu Aug 28, 2008, 6:24am Subject: Re: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
For the super auto remember a basic point they will require more maintenance and tune up so as long as you have somebody in the area that know what is doing you'll be fine ( did I mention how expensive the parts are?) once the above is taking in consideration anybody can operate one Schaerer Ambiente are good machine and capable to produce a good shot (in the world of super-auto) like I mention above you need somebody that know what is doing setting it up for you and keep in it healty including a fine tune all the parameters to the coffee that you will buy to get the best out of it
a Linea is a machine much easier to service and maintain however take skill ( and a grinder) to get the best out of it
in both options a WATER SOFTENER according to you water hardness will be a must
Zin1953 Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 454 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: no, Press Pot Drip: No Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Thu Aug 28, 2008, 2:18pm Subject: Re: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
I would LOVE to tell you to go with the La Marzocco, but I can't.
I have no doubt whatsoever that there is a significant difference in the quality each machine will -- at their respective best -- provide. The LM wins that "battle" hands down! The key problem is the employees. I don't know how many employees you have, and if it's 2, 3, even six (maybe) -- train 'em on the LM and they'll love you forever. But if you're talking 10 or more, get the superauto, resign yourself to drinking "good but not great" coffee during the day, and don't look back!
ocxespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: denver Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: miele built in superauto Grinder: n/a Vac Pot: n/a Drip: n/a Roaster: n/a
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 6:14pm Subject: Re: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
Thank you so much for your responses! I was genuinely torn between the two options. In the end, I was leaning toward the superauto, as some suggested, but decided to put the question to the employees. To my surprise, some said they'd like to learn some barista skills, and the balance said they'd be plenty happy to have me pull shots for them (more prectice for me)! I found a great deal on a Rio Vania 2 group, only 6 months old on craigslist. Not an LM, but I'm a sucker for a great deal. The secret weapon will be the Mazzer Mini, in any case. I look forward to learning muych more from this forum group.
Everman Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 966 Location: Coffee Land Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Valentina Levetta Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Hottop
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 8:54pm Subject: Re: Need help deciding: Sheaerer Ambiente vs. La Marzocco
Given enough practice, the difference would be night and day. And not just any night, but like night of the living dead compared to a perfect spring day in the shire.
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