Shot, shot, shot. shot....the La Spaziale Vivaldi....just might out shoot the NCAA....getting one is definely not March Madness!
Positive Product Points
Programmable volume Plummable Temperature stability Dual boilers Massive steam Easy to program and use
Negative Product Points
A bit of a quirky timer. It has to be nestled behind the machine. It works well, although it was not intuitive to program. The drain tray is plastic. I was more used to the stainless steel version of the Rancilio and the screen that rests on the tray is not as hefty as I think is should be. I have not had any problem with it however.
Detailed Commentary
This was a major upgrade from my Rancilio. I was tired of waiting for the boiler to heat up to steam temperature as I make more milk based drinks. I also wanted not to have to refill a reservoir. I studied all available machines in this price range for a number of months. Chris Coffee has gotten excellent reviews and with the 2 year warranty, I thought that this was the best option for me. I also wanted a rotary pump. None of the E61 machines had all the options that I wanted, despite the PID. I am the envy of all my friends. I can put out multiple drinks at parties quickly (something my Rancilio could not do). The programmable volume of my shots allows me to steam while brewing. Installing the water line was simple. The best fit for me was to use the heavy duty saddle valve option and the special tubing provided through Chris Coffee. I got the 0.9 mm three hole steamer tip and can produce perfect microfoam. It took me a while to get used to the increased amount of power when compared to my Silvia. I will have an electriian put in a dedicated 20 amp outlet soon, but really having no problems with the switch toggled to the 15 amp selection. I probably don't really need to do it, but what the heck. The machine is very quiet. I can't say enough positives.
Buying Experience
Chris gave me personal help and advice. He has answered my e-mail questions at all different hours of the day and on weekends and is always available on the phone during working hours. What I want to know: Does Chris sleep?
