Great machine for the money - it has it all. Bella Barista was sincerely GREAT to deal with and have been as supportive as they can have been expected to be. It was a great machine for about 30 days.
Negative Product Points
I have this machine on a timer and I have woken up about 2 dozen times during the period that I have owned it (just over a year) to 3-liter puddles on the counter.
Detailed Commentary
I have changed: Gicar controller, pressure release valve, vacuum breaker (2x), water sensor, and I have absolutely had it with this thing! Maybe I have a lemon, and to be fair this is not the same machine that Chris' Coffee is selling (I see that they have a slightly modified version), this is one of the first into the country. I don't know what to do with it at this point - I have absolutely reached my limit with this turkey - and I think that anyone considering this needs to give it some more time on the marketplace for the bugs to get worked out. I have enjoyed using it during the brief stretches when it has performed as it should (it makes outstanding coffee during those times - plenty of steam for frothing, huge reservoir) and that's about as generous as I can be.
Stock steam nozzle should be changed right off the bat, too.
Buying Experience
As stated above, Bella Barista (UK outfit) was truly great, but the fact remains: here I am with a $1500 machine that I want to drive over with a truck.
Three Month Followup
I have noticed that my review has been given low ratings and I suspect that if I don't give this machine a glowing review I may continue to get low ratings. But I am still fed up with this machine and I am still waking up to puddles, though it is no longer on a timer because I'd rather be around to intervene when it malfunctions. I am using filtered tap water-clean, but not free of dissolved solids. I have replaced the water level sensor (NOT over-tightened), and, with the help of Chris' Coffee (they're great and I'll be buying my next machine from them after I unload this albatross) replaced my pressure relief valve. I accept that Chris' Coffee has sold a lot of these without subsequent incident. The bottom line with this Izzo Alex, however, is that it is a lemon. It is one malfunction after another and I simply cannot recommend it based on my experience. I understand that the general criticism of my review is that I'm "unloading" my frustration on this machine because I just don't know how to work on coffee machines. That being the case, I would have to think there is someone reading this who is looking for a great deal on a used Izzo Alex and whose mechanical abilities and understanding of these machines exceeds mine (I'm sure this is true). That person should contact me--I am past ready to sell. I will not revise my review; I am most assuredly NOT happy with this 70lb disaster, though I have decided not to drive over it with my truck. If you think I am not being fair, ask yourself honestly how you would feel having spent $1500 and countless hours under the hood and still not be able to trust the machine to a timer for fear of malfunction or have it begin spraying water around the kitchen unexpectedly every other week. Seriously, this thing will not give me a break.
