espressoaddict Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 346 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia V3 (Primary)... Grinder: Baratza Vario 2009 and... Vac Pot: None Drip: Melitta Single Cup, Bodum...
Posted Wed Oct 28, 2009, 1:09am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel UNO Professional Espresso Machine Versus Rancilio Sylvia 2009
I got a couple more days to decide. So far, it seems the Sylvia is the one to get in my price range. Not exceeding the $600.00 budget, this is the only one that seems to be the most attractive out there. Parts are widely available and support is endless. It's ready to perform out-of-the-box - of course with some practice and tuning. The only major complaint, I've seen is temp stability and consistency. This is even with a PID attached. The intra-temp between shots will overshoot w/o the PID knowing. As some have mentioned this is when the boiler re-cycles back to optimal temp it will at times cause the group head to overshoot for the next shot, thus requiring a cooling flush. This was found in one test after waiting 2 - 3 minutes before pulling the next shot. I'll start a separate thread on this topic.
Thanks all for your help. I'll make sure to let you know once I hit the buy button, unless some thing better comes along prior to Friday.
Derrick Senior Member Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Coffee Deluxe Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Vac Pot: Never tried one? Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: For my next Birthday :-)
Posted Wed Oct 28, 2009, 5:56am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel UNO Professional Espresso Machine Versus Rancilio Sylvia 2009
Hey all,
This has been a great discussion to follow, so I will throw my $0.02 into the ring. Here is my advice. Put your $600.00 in an envelope somewhere and start aggressively saving the rest of your pennies until you can get a HX machine. I have a Gaggia Coffee Deluxe myself and love it. I don't have a PID on mine though. I really can't imagine a Sylvia being much of an upgrade to the Gaggia you already have especially since you have a PID. From what you have posted, it sound like your Gaggia still works, so I would hold on to it until I could make a significant upgrade on my machine. If you could put aside $100.00 a month, then by March or April of next year you could have yourself a really nice upgrade.
Jim (MLG PIDKITS) was right here, other members attested to his selection of quality in Watlow (vs. Fuji,etc.) as well as his service after sale, and ease to install (indeed it was VERY easy) as Jim had done all the hard stuff for you. The Watlow SD3, at least mine, also had the steam function PID'd as well, which IIRC, Auber did not have at that time.
espressoaddict Said:
I got a couple more days to decide. So far, it seems the Sylvia is the one to get in my price range. Not exceeding the $600.00 budget, this is the only one that seems to be the most attractive out there. Parts are widely available and support is endless. It's ready to perform out-of-the-box - of course with some practice and tuning. The only major complaint, I've seen is temp stability and consistency. This is even with a PID attached. The intra-temp between shots will overshoot w/o the PID knowing. As some have mentioned this is when the boiler re-cycles back to optimal temp it will at times cause the group head to overshoot for the next shot, thus requiring a cooling flush. This was found in one test after waiting 2 - 3 minutes before pulling the next shot. I'll start a separate thread on this topic.
Thanks all for your help. I'll make sure to let you know once I hit the buy button, unless some thing better comes along prior to Friday.
The supposed 'cooling flush' is trivial...one tends to dump a half ounce of water or more to warm a cup up anyway, or flush a bit to clean the shower screen before wiping with your towel, between shots. Temp stability and consistency improve dramatically with a PID on her, period. If you indeed start a new thread on this topic (needed?), ensure that those that respond have personal experience pulling shots on a stock, as well as PID'd Silvia, lest you be swayed by subjective opinion over personal experience. Jim likely has enough temperature data to do a two-day Silvia Temperature symposium all by his lonesome, despite the obvious fact he sells PID kits for a meager profit. His motivation is most likely passion, not profit. :)
Posted Wed Oct 28, 2009, 4:30pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel UNO Professional Espresso Machine Versus Rancilio Sylvia 2009
Your decision process on the Silvia is like so many before you. I think this is one reason you see little competition from other manufacturers. The legacy is more than the machine itself. I hope to look for your comparison of the Gaggia and Silvia after a few months to get familiar.
As another noted, I'm not sure why the rush to decide either. You have a functional machine. Take your time to weigh all of your options. It sounds like you are handy enough to take on a used machine as well, to get more for your money.
espressoaddict Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 346 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia V3 (Primary)... Grinder: Baratza Vario 2009 and... Vac Pot: None Drip: Melitta Single Cup, Bodum...
Posted Wed Oct 28, 2009, 4:56pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel UNO Professional Espresso Machine Versus Rancilio Sylvia 2009
Derrick Said:
Hey all,
This has been a great discussion to follow, so I will throw my $0.02 into the ring. Here is my advice. Put your $600.00 in an envelope somewhere and start aggressively saving the rest of your pennies until you can get a HX machine. I have a Gaggia Coffee Deluxe myself and love it. I don't have a PID on mine though. I really can't imagine a Sylvia being much of an upgrade to the Gaggia you already have especially since you have a PID. From what you have posted, it sound like your Gaggia still works, so I would hold on to it until I could make a significant upgrade on my machine. If you could put aside $100.00 a month, then by March or April of next year you could have yourself a really nice upgrade.
I appreciate the full logic in your concern and you are VERY right. My reply below applies to you, as well.
Frost Said:
Your decision process on the Silvia is like so many before you. I think this is one reason you see little competition from other manufacturers. The legacy is more than the machine itself. I hope to look for your comparison of the Gaggia and Silvia after a few months to get familiar.
As another noted, I'm not sure why the rush to decide either. You have a functional machine. Take your time to weigh all of your options. It sounds like you are handy enough to take on a used machine as well, to get more for your money.
You are probably right. I cleaned the boiler thoroughly that includes using a Dremel tool with wire brush, and it's now fairly acceptable for a few shots to get me through the week. I'm monitoring the water if any non-coffee sediments exists -- none so far. It's very clean.
I realize the Sylvia may improve my steaming ability, but probably not so much with the Espresso making.
I haven't finalized my decision yet, as you guys are right, but I have a great deal on a new Oscar HX priced for about $900.00 Yeah, $100.00 more and I got my self an E61 from Berezza (I hope I spelled that correctly).
Edited: Should I go for it? Found an existing thread on this topic vs Sylvia and Oscar. Let me read that first. link I haven't done my home work (in progress) yet, but only concern now is PIDing this machine or is it not needed? Now my Rancilio Rocky is probably under-kill now. Not sure what will happen with this combination?
fhb435 Senior Member Joined: 7 Jul 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Baltimore Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Gaggia MDF
Posted Sun Jul 8, 2012, 7:23am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel UNO Professional Espresso Machine Versus Rancilio Sylvia 2009
It's been some time since you went through this decision -- I'd love to hear where you came out, and whether you're happy with the choice? How much did you spend/ which maker did you go for? - Frank
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