This is a great machine, one of the best in its class. It is able to make great shots every time and makes you feel a real barista.
Positive Product Points
- good looking machine - built quality - brews good coffee - temperature stability - HX technology, so steaming directly after brewing is not a problem
Negative Product Points
- no brew pressure gauge - no brew temperature gauge - level indicator of water reservoir would be nice - lack of boiler insulation
Detailed Commentary
The machine is built around an E-61 group, which is still considered as one of the best. I have bought this machine a few months after I bought the ECM Botticelli II. I liked the former, but making Lattes is hard, due to the single boiler. The Giotto is a real prosumer machine, it is heavy (I live on the 3rd floor without elevator) and the heat up time is quite fast (15 minutes), at least it is faster than I expected. The machine looks good, both on the outside as on the inside. The pump is however a bit noisy, but I can live with it. The most important thing is that it makes coffee very well. The only wrong shots I pull are due to wrong grinds, too fine or too course, all user errors. There are a few things I've been missing; I would like a brew pressure gauge (maybe I am installing one). It gives a bit more feedback. An indicator of the water level would be nice as well, just a few leds indicating the level. The boiler is not insulated, so a lot of heat is wasted. A temperature gauge is only usable if it is fast, but it would be nice. My wife loves the hot water tap for making tea, so she is happy too.
I really can't add something that others have not been written before of this machine, it is really good. Yes it cost a lot of money, but it is worth it.
Buying Experience
I've bought this machine second hand at marktplaats, a Dutch auction site. No problems so far.
