Forget about any other machine - this one is miles away. AMAZING (get it with the water hookup kit!)
Positive Product Points
Built to perfection, quality components, built to last, beautifull, reliable, consistent, amazing results Continunous steam (really, it never stops)
Negative Product Points
Can't think of any. Really.
Detailed Commentary
I'm an engineer by trade, and a skeptic. For whatever reason, I tend to focus on defects and problems with just about everything I buy. A few years ago I finally stepped up to a Wega MiniNova. I hated it. It didn't steam well, coffee had different consistency/taste every time, and it looked like it was engineered in a back garage. Needless to say, it went back to the store, and I was traumatised enough to delay my dreams. I had a friend with Pasquini Livia 90. It was nice, but nothing to write home about. About a year ago I finally got over it and started looking again. I read reviews, talked to folks, looked at specs, and realized that short of having all these machines in a lineup and comparing them in person, I'm probably going to land me another Wega. I decided to change course and let the sales folks convince me :-) I called up several places and asked them "why should I buy your machine" - my tactics was to "read between the lines" and compile decision criteria from all the sales folks together. That tactics didn't work either- I heard so much (*&^% from them, that it didn't help me break the tie. HOWEVER, among the places I called was Chris Coffee service. I got Mary on the line, who gave me a couple of answers, but then stopped and told me "you ask questions that I can't really answer well. Why don't you talk to the owner", and voila, Chris was on the line. He spend over 45 minutes raving about the Andreja (which was built to order based on his improved designed to the original Andreja). He went over every aspect of the machine, what it was before, and what he did to improve it. I literally had to stop him and tell him that I'm sold. The machine arrived about a week later. It was shockingly beautiful (we have a new kitchen and everyone seem to pay attention to the machine rather than the very expensive redone kitchen!). I have had it for almost a year now, and I'm in love with it. I look at the Andreja Previum the same was I look at my Honda Pilot - it has power to spare, works flawlesly, does the job with no visible effort, reliable like hell, and a marvel of engineering. Let me tell you what I like about it: - Steam: goes forever - leave it open and it won't stop. If the pressure drops slightly the Andreja takes in more water (bzzzz on the pump) and generates more steam (the Wega steam used to fade in 20 sec). - Milk frothting and hot water wands swivle - they fit any cup. - Coffee: amazing crema, comes out the same every time, tastes like heaven - Valves: this is usually an issue with most machines (leaks, etc.). The Andreja's valves don't need to be tightened - the steam stops 2 twists before the valve closes, which means I never lock it either in open or closed - it alwas "floats" - Water hookup: do yourself a favor - buy it with the hookup kit - it is worth every penny (it is very easy to hook up). No more having to fill in water, forget it and find out in the middle of the shot, etc.) Last, it is built like a Honda. I have an Accord 92 which still drives like new. The Andreja is almost one year old and have not shown even a glimp of a problem. No leaks, no weird noises, NOTHING. I waited for a long time before I allowed myself to write a review - I wanted to make sure that this amazing machine is not a mirrage - that it will stay amazing for a year before I go and recommend it to anyone. Well,....
Buying Experience
Amazing experience. Mary from Chris Coffee took good care of me. She gave me good advice about what else to get with the machine. I ignored her advice to get a grinder, but a few weeks later, I realized she was right. W/o a grinder, I couldn't get the full quality shots I wanted -water would just flow quickly through the pre-grounded Lavazza like it was drip grounds. Everything was done over email (wth the exeption of the credit card). I also bought beans from them and tried them out - some were really good.