washburned Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Posts: 29 Location: napa Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra II Grinder: Baratza vario
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 7:00am Subject: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
Well after doing some reading I am about ready to buy my wife her new machine and grinder set up. I am planing on the Baratza Vario and either the Breville Dual Boiler BES900X $900 shipped or the a Nuova Era Cuadra II.$1095 shipped. My wife and I are both a little concerned about having to send the Breville in for service. So we are leaning towards the Nuova. Before I pull the trigger I wanted to see if I should be looking at this differently or considering something else all together? Thanks
cafeespresso Senior Member Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 103 Location: South Florida, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Office Pulser Grinder: Baratza Vario Roaster: FR 8+, SC/Turbo CO
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 11:38am Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
I don't think either is a wrong choice. I 'upgraded' from HX to the Breville, and I can tell you the Breville is a great machine. On the Breville I have gained more consistency on the shots, but I'm still struggling with the steam. Like everything, there is a learning curve.
Also, where are you getting the Breville at 900? Amazon? I think that deal is dead.
upandatom Senior Member Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Kansas City, MO Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Carezza Grinder: Tranquilo
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 2:45pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
I'm looking at machines in about the same price range as you. One of the one's I'm looking at in addition to the Breville is the Quick Mill Silvano from Chris Coffee for $1k. I'm not qualified to offer any advice but thought I'd throw the name out there for you to look at. I also recall seeing a NS Oscar on sale recently for right at $1k, but can't remember where.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,652 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 2:55pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
For what it is worth, I would not buy a Breville, there are members here who have and love them but the brand is not one with a long history of quality behind it, rather it is the reverse, most Breville machines are best suited for wedding gifts that will never get used. That is my $0.02 for what it is worth. I agree though that I think that many design consessions were made to the BDB to keep the price point down, among many is the return for descaling that you mention.
There is no "upgrade" from a HX to DB or DB to HX, It is a side step at best. Both systems produce excellent coffee and which you like better is more a result of how you like to work and what flips your switches. Both require flushes so that is a moot point.
So since you are already leaning away from the BDB, I advise to go with the Nuova, it has a good track history and it will serve you well if you choose to go that way.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,652 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 3:09pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
upandatom Said:
I'm looking at machines in about the same price range as you. One of the one's I'm looking at in addition to the Breville is the Quick Mill Silvano from Chris Coffee for $1k. I'm not qualified to offer any advice but thought I'd throw the name out there for you to look at. I also recall seeing a NS Oscar on sale recently for right at $1k, but can't remember where.
The Silvano is in their words, a entry level machine with advanced features. In short, it is a single boiler machine with PID control and a thermo block for steaming. If you are interested in this machine, you should also look at the CC1.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
washburned Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Posts: 29 Location: napa Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra II Grinder: Baratza vario
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 3:35pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
calblacksmith Said:
For what it is worth, I would not buy a Breville, there are members here who have and love them but the brand is not one with a long history of quality behind it, rather it is the reverse, most Breville machines are best suited for wedding gifts that will never get used. That is my $0.02 for what it is worth. I agree though that I think that many design consessions were made to the BDB to keep the price point down, among many is the return for descaling that you mention.
There is no "upgrade" from a HX to DB or DB to HX, It is a side step at best. Both systems produce excellent coffee and which you like better is more a result of how you like to work and what flips your switches. Both require flushes so that is a moot point.
So since you are already leaning away from the BDB, I advise to go with the Nuova, it has a good track history and it will serve you well if you choose to go that way.
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 500 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 4:33pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
calblacksmith Said:
The Silvano is in their words, a entry level machine with advanced features. In short, it is a single boiler machine with PID control and a thermo block for steaming. If you are interested in this machine, you should also look at the CC1.
Main difference vs the CC1 being the Silvano has a separate pump to steam/brew at the same time.
Personally I think the Breville DB is a kick ass machine, hands down easily one of the most consistent around. Got a buddy with 2, one in the office and one at home, both get heavy use especially the one in the office.... not a single issue since he bought last year. The sending off for descaling doesn't both me much, it's like 4 years or so down the road and their opening centers across the U.S. for not just servicing the DB quicker but other products. Yeh you won't be able to really work on it, but for me again doesn't mean much since I wouldn't keep any machine for 10/15/20+ etc years like some do.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 5:18pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
calblacksmith Said:
For what it is worth, I would not buy a Breville, there are members here who have and love them but the brand is not one with a long history of quality behind it, rather it is the reverse, most Breville machines are best suited for wedding gifts that will never get used. That is my $0.02 for what it is worth. I agree though that I think that many design consessions were made to the BDB to keep the price point down, among many is the return for descaling that you mention.
There is no "upgrade" from a HX to DB or DB to HX, It is a side step at best. Both systems produce excellent coffee and which you like better is more a result of how you like to work and what flips your switches. Both require flushes so that is a moot point.
My first impulse is to say "no." Then again, it may be, but I'd prefer the Bezzera BZ07 for $100 more. (Note: I always add 10% to people's budget, because I figure it's in reach.)
MY advise to to talk with 1st-Line. Ask them about the differences between the Nuova Era and the Bezzera, and what provides the biggest bang for the buck.
scanfield Senior Member Joined: 21 Nov 2011 Posts: 168 Location: Texas Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: La Nuovo Era Cuadra Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012, 6:49pm Subject: Re: Decision Time Breville or Nuova Era
I have a La Nuova Era Cuadra and it's been a good machine. I've had it for a year and have had no problems with it that aren't operator error.
That said, if I were going to buy a new machine tomorrow, I would probably pick the BDB only because after having had a HX machine for a while, I'd like to try a double boiler. The HX machine can do just about anything, but I wonder if a double-boiler machine wouldn't be easier? For example, if I get some coffee with instructions that call for 198 degree water, I'm only guessing with my machine. I think the BDB would be easier to be more consistent.
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