The benchmark in home espresso machines. Allows a skilled user to make better coffee than 99% of cafes.
Positive Product Points
- Foolproof espresso but needs a top-end grinder - Looks great - Simple 1-button operation - Simple to clean - Excellent espresso
Negative Product Points
- Very basic owner's manual - No step-by-step guide for owners on how to make espresso or froth milk for newbies - Steam wand difficult to use without hands on demonstration - Not a good machine for beginners due to lack of instructions
Detailed Commentary
There's not a lot to add about the quality of the Wega Lyra/Mininova. One of the top-three prosumer machines recommended on this site, it delivers great espresso in spades. Of course you need to have grinds from a high quality grinder.
All I can add is that the 5-hole tip on the steam wand needs a demonstration from a Wega expert to show you how to get microfoam from the wand. I read all of the posts about the problems with the tip, and how owners are swapping the wand for a Cimbali wand with a 2-tip nozzle and jumped to the conclusion that there was a product defect. After struggling to get good foam on the first afternoon I had the machine, I rang the company I bought the machine from the next day (they also happen to be the Australian Wega agent) and their "training" instructor came to my house and showed me how to get microfoam with the stock wand. It was amazing to see! A real Wega pro in action. So technique wins over equipment yet again. Having said that, he gave me an old Wega 4-hole tip which is what I'm using now.
The drip tray is pretty small and probably a nuisance to have to empty all the time, but I was lucky because my kitchen bench allows me to pipe the overflow into a large bucket underneath the bench. I'll also be plumbing in the unit in the next few weeks.
Buying Experience
Genovese, the Australian Wega agent located in Melbourne was excellent. Eleonora, Adam, Carla, and Michael were all fantastic. The price is not really negotiable, but the pre, during and post-sales service was all first class. Michael came out to my house to show me how to use the steaming wand, and Carla gave me a 1-hour run through of the Lyra and the Mazzer grinder at their shop.
Three Month Followup
It's hard to believe that only 3 months has gone bye. It seems like I've had the Wega for years. I've learnt heaps about making espresso and frothing milk with this machine. It's been faultless.
