gearbolt Senior Member Joined: 9 Aug 2007 Posts: 39 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3.0 Grinder: Mahlkonig K30 Vario Vac Pot: Kona Roaster: TBD
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 5:30pm Subject: Help is needed to decide my espresso machine and grinder!
Hi all,
Finally, after several years of drinking espresso and cappuccino from my DeLonghi super-auto, I am about to pull the trigger for my first semi-auto espresso machine and quality espresso grinder. I should do this earlier. I know.
For my situation,
1.My primary drink will be milk base ones although I do take straight espresso shot occasionally. I will probably make one cap in the morning and two in the evening daily.
2.The budget for the espresso machine and grinder is about $3500 which is set by the setup that I have in mind below.
3.Plumb or pour-over: I prefer to have both of the capabilities although for now the pour-over is the only option.
4.Space is not an issue. I have dedicated area and power outlets for my setup. No over head drawers/cabinet.
5.What I have in mind so far are: a. Espresso machine: "Alex Duetto 3.0" by Izzo or "S1 Dream T" by La Spaziale. I know these two are excellent machines but would like to know your opinions. I actually like the look of the S1 and feel the Alex Duetto has much complicated look (but my wife is actually like this one better). However, I will go for the performance in a heart bit.
b. Grinder: Mazzer Mini E doserless type A. Originally, I was planning for the Vario by Baratza but later I decided to put more budget in the grinder and this is where I lost. I read some post saying the Vario is actually preferred over the Mazzer mini dorseless. I try not go for the SJ due to it size. But I really want to know if the Mazzer Mini E type A can match the Alex Duetto or the S1 Dream T. There is no space limit (no over head drawers) but feel the SJ and other commercial is way to tall.
I have the final saying, not wife. :)
I am really interested in knowing what people think about the Alex Duetto 3.0 and S1 Dream T. Price aside, are they in the same level? Or any other combinations? Many thanks in advance.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,725 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Sun Jan 20, 2013, 7:20pm Subject: Re: Help is needed to decide my espresso machine and grinder!
I own a Duetto II, but have never had my hands on the la Spaziale. I can see from the CCS site, that the dream T cannot be plumbed(Duetto can plumb or not) It has a vib pump (Duetto rotary). It has smaller boilers than Duetto also. I didn't check their weights (which would affect thermal stability -potentially).
I own an Alex Duetto 3.0 and have been using it for about two months now. One of the advantages that I really like about the Duetto is that I can plumb it in later if I want. It's fairly easy to use and makes great coffee. I like being able to switch off the steam boiler and save energy when I don't want to steam. I also like how quiet the rotary pump is.
The reasons why I didn't buy the Dream over the Duetto was because I didn't want to buy a machine which was plumb-in only. As well, it uses a 53mm portafilter, while most other machines use a 58mm portafilter. Buying the vibe-pump tank version really wasn't an option for me because I've grown to hate the sound that vibe pumps make.
The best thing to do is read up on the features of the Dream and see if they matter to you over the Duetto. I personally didn't see any appeal, even though I'm a bit of a geek. I guess if I was a bit more involved in the local coffee community, I'd probably be a bit more motivated to buy one.
The other upside to the Duetto, which could also be seen as a downside, is that it uses fairly generic off-the-shelf technology and components. Mostly Gicar electronics and a generic E61 group, so everything is very serviceable, documented and there is a wide support base. The downside is that there's nothing "fancy" in it which the dream has, like pressure profiling, storing temperature, profiles, etc on a USB key, etc..
This is a decent grinder. I absolutely love mine. I get the feeling that this will be the last grinder I'll buy for a very long time, I mean that in a good way. :) This grinder goes very well with the Duetto and matches it quite nicely.
gearbolt Senior Member Joined: 9 Aug 2007 Posts: 39 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3.0 Grinder: Mahlkonig K30 Vario Vac Pot: Kona Roaster: TBD
Posted Mon Jan 21, 2013, 12:44am Subject: Re: Help is needed to decide my espresso machine and grinder!
emradguy Said:
I own a Duetto II, but have never had my hands on the la Spaziale. I can see from the CCS site, that the dream T cannot be plumbed(Duetto can plumb or not) It has a vib pump (Duetto rotary). It has smaller boilers than Duetto also. I didn't check their weights (which would affect thermal stability -potentially).
Thanks for the reply. Yes, the dream T is only for water tank and has vib pump, which are the things that keep me leaning toward the Duetto 3. I can only go for tank version for now.
May I ask what do you have for the grinder and have you had any issue with your Duetto 2? Thanks.
I have the impression that for my situation (one or two shots per day), the dorseless is the way to go since I don't need to worry the grinds in the doser so less waste of coffee and easier to manage. Do I get the idea right?
Do you know if there is any static issue with the SJ? I think I can go for the mini bean hopper arrangement. Thanks.
This all depends on the blend of coffee being used and how fresh it is.
I live in a very dry climate so I do expect that there are grounds which will stick to the side of the funnel, that's just to be expected.
It does clump, but any doserless grinder will. If I find that I do have channeling issues, I just grind finer and lower the dosage. I could use the WDT though if I want a higher dose.
My only wish is that the grind was easier to adjust. I find when I want to make minute adjustments, I just tap the lever (Stalk?) with a tamper.
If you can afford a Major or a SJ, go for it, but a Mini will be within your budget and is perfect for home use.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 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 Mon Jan 21, 2013, 3:15am Subject: Re: Help is needed to decide my espresso machine and grinder!
Have you considered the Rocket Espresso Cellini Evoluzione V2? It has both option of using the internal water tank or plumbing, a rotary pump, and a standard E61 brew head.
*** "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)
jwoodyu Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2010 Posts: 704 Location: Michigan Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Allex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major Roaster: Poppery
Posted Mon Jan 21, 2013, 6:41am Subject: Re: Help is needed to decide my espresso machine and grinder!
Machine: It is a jump ball or pretty close. I like have the ability to switch to the tank but would NEVER run on the tank if there were ANY way I could plumb. The E-61 opens more options for PFs etc.
Grinder: I with Wayne. Get a Major if you have the space. They can be had used on a deal and really are pretty reasonable new at 1st-line.
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.
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