Attractive design Intuitive operation Good coffee (results) Powerful steaming device
Negative Product Points
No heat-exchange No pressure release-valve No over-heating protection
Detailed Commentary
It's an eyecatcher in my kitchen. Bring you girlfriend along to the espressoshop and you will walk away with this machine (guaranteed). It's just more attractive than the others (my Ascaso Dream is (matte) black). It looks good and... you can get some very good coffee from this machine. With a 57mm piston, good pressure and relatively consistent watertemperature it's not just looks. It is capable to deliver some very good shots and is able to draw a lot of flavor from the pucket. I like the simple switches and corresponding indicatorlights, very inuitive. The steaming is excellent and powerfull enough (imho) for two cappucinno's. Semi-professional build and materials are of decent quality.
It'can not exactly match a FaemaE61, with it's 58mm diameter filters and pressure release valves. So, if the machine can't push through it stops pushing (you can see the press-o-meter drop). Of course, it's a shame that after the steaming of the milk you first have to "release" some of the pressure before making the espresso's you need to complete the cappucinno (no heat switch as well)
Durability is a limited issue (how you operate it might be more important) - Damaged my pistongrip within a month. - No over-heat-protection, so machine can get too hot if you switch the steam switch and leave it on, while on a (too) long phone call.
My next machine will be heat-exchanging, Faema E61 (or better) equiped, if I can afford one at that time!
Buying Experience
There's just a limited amount of shops where you can buy espressomachines of (semi-) professional quality and corresponding prices. Decent information and advise.
