Well, I'm just going to speak from the heart and say IN MY HUMBLE OPINION...
I think the Oscar looks like a very cheap machine, at least in a first impression sort of way. If it wasn't for the black plastic, this machine could have easily had beige plastic and looked like it would have been at home in a late 1980's era kitchen. Of course, we're probably all used to seeing beige plastic things eventually fade into that really ugly shade of yellowish/brownish, which is why all plastic computer cases went to using black instead, the Oscar is no exception to this either. If it did come in Beige plastic, I'm pretty sure that very few people would think about buying one. (I think Rancilio once made a white plastic SBDU at one point in time!)
It probably doesn't help that Nuova Simonelli didn't put a boiler pressure gauge on it, while most other machines of its class have it. They probably didn't feel that it was important and kept costs down.
When you consider that the "trend" for higher-end appliances is to have stainless steel or brushed steel because it gives a much more "Commercial" feel to it, this counts as a massive perception in value and quality. This is why Breville and Calphalon sell so many appliances at inflated prices. (I should know, almost everything in my kitchen is from Breville!)
This is probably why the Silvia not only sells well but also seems to hold its value, by it's gracious use of stainless steel everywhere as opposed to cheaper SBDU machines. If the Silvia was made out of plastic or had a plastic bodyshell, I'm sure that it would be at least $200 cheaper. I think it suffers from "Bling" factor, along with other kinds of espresso machines.
The one other thing I think we're failing to see here is that we're all very fussy people in this forum. What we would consider to be unacceptable, someone else would find to be perfectly acceptable, they wouldn't mind if their drink is a little sour or bitter because the temperature isn't perfect. Heck, people go out and buy Super-Auto machines and use them, there is a huge market for them.. there's a good reason for that.. because it is "Good enough", but in our eyes, it is "Unacceptable".
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 475 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2012, 1:31am Subject: Re: Stupid Question? Silvia vs. Crossland CC1
The plastic really put me off for a while before I got it, I'll admit. Now I really appreciate its looks; it's grown on me. I think the thing is for me, aside from costing twice as much, the home machines that most of the people on this forum use all look the same to me. The Duetto, the Brewtus, the Rocket...they're all silver cubes with exposed brewheads that threaten to brand my hand if I'm not careful. That's not to say I don't want one, I just wish there was a little more variation in design. Is there a term for these silver cubes, anyway? If the Mac 2000V didn't need to be plumbed in, I would have bought one of those. I'm very fussy, it's why I'm here in the first place, and why I went from a steam moka "espresso" machine to an Oscar in six months. I've already got my sights set on an E61 machine for the holidays, but also quietly wondering if I should take the plunge and buy the Mac, even though I'd have to drill a hole in my sink.
There are a lot of these NS MAC machines for sale on the used market where I live.
It was tempting to buy one for a little while, but for me what didn't put me off was the plumb-in requirement, it was the size. These are BIG machines. (At least IMHO) Not to mention, I'm quite leery about spending a little under $1k to get a machine which is nearly 15-20 years old. Who knows how it was used and abused.
Markarian Said:
I've already got my sights set on an E61 machine for the holidays, but also quietly wondering if I should take the plunge and buy the Mac, even though I'd have to drill a hole in my sink.
I would probably recommend buying a new E61 machine with warranty and support. Those MAC machines are well built, but they're getting old now. The problem isn't the parts, they share a lot of parts with the newer Appia machines from my understanding. The issue is mainly with the proprietary electronics, which are getting harder to replace, at least from what I've heard.
I have not burned my myself the first time on the group on Duetto in the 2 years I have owned it. I have burned a few times on the end of the hot water wand however. The lever for the group puts your hand in close proximity to the business end of the hot water wand. Besides Speedster and Faema E-61 machines I would just as soon have one chunk of stainless as the next.
You know those people that want to tell you how to raise your kids but have none of their own? That is how i feel when someone with a kitchen appliance tells me how the merits or dis-merits of my machine or how to use it.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 557 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2012, 7:17pm Subject: Re: Stupid Question? Silvia vs. Crossland CC1
Pretty obvious Rancillio doesn't care about the consumer market, the Silvia and Rocky have both been barely touched through the years and both are out of date vs other competitors.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,661 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sun Nov 11, 2012, 2:19am Subject: Re: Stupid Question? Silvia vs. Crossland CC1
qualin Said:
... The one other thing I think we're failing to see here is that we're all very fussy people in this forum. What we would consider to be unacceptable, someone else would find to be perfectly acceptable, they wouldn't mind if their drink is a little sour or bitter because the temperature isn't perfect. Heck, people go out and buy Super-Auto machines and use them, there is a huge market for them.. there's a good reason for that.. because it is "Good enough", but in our eyes, it is "Unacceptable".
I wouldn't call CoffeeGeeks fussy. I like to think of us as gourmets and well informed. Just because a lot of people are contend with something doesn't mean it's really good. But apart from that, your right of course in your view that personal tastes differ widely.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,371 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Nov 11, 2012, 2:20pm Subject: Re: Stupid Question? Silvia vs. Crossland CC1
I like Oscar also, he has grown on me. I like what I am getting in the cup and the powerful steam. I like the no burn shell and they did come in silver and off white as well as red. I wanted the best espresso machine I could get on the cheap and Oscar was it for me. I am not sorry I didn't get a shiny one as my first machine. I think I would be more intimidated and scared to touch it much less toss it in the trunk for family vacations like I do Oscar. (being used makes it less stress if he gets a scratch on him) His price reflects people liking the Stainless for the kitchen and I for one am glad I could get a low volume commercial machine for under $500. I could not have gotten another low volume commercial machine for the same money. And I will keep him around in that function if I ever do get a shiny one. He is pretty damn handy for catering events.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
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