the question i am trying to answer is whether truly amazingly delicious coffee is worth over $1000.00. hey. there are worse obsessions.
Positive Product Points
pretty impressive looking, kind of like the starship entership. hx machine, so shots can be pulled one after the other. fairly big water resevoir. consistent drink temperature. adjustible pstat. big drip tray. heavy portafilters. like the lever - can control the shot. heats up in about 15 minutes (but i use a timer). like the 2 gauges (gives me feedback on the grind and tamp). true microfoam (most times - use error). 3-way solenoid (of course). makes absolutely, positively delicious espresso. can be plumbed in.
Negative Product Points
the screw holding the screen is way too small. had to replace the pstat twice. the pstat is at the top of the machine so one must be careful when filling the resevoir with water. why do espresso machines cost as much as a high end stove. to my untrained eye, the innards of the tea do not speak of a well thought out machine. not portable (can't be brought on vacation).
Detailed Commentary
so, i entered the world of espresso when i bought a saeco classico on ebay. that and my braun grinder made pretty good espresso, but just not strong enough for my taste. then i discovered coffeegeek. the problem with the saeco wasn't the saeco but the grinder. i needed a burr grinder. so, i bought a mr. coffee burr grinder on ebay. used it once. back to coffeegeek. bought a gaggia classic (from wll) and rocky (from a coffeegeek member). awesome. delicious espresso. heats up in 6 minutes. recycles quickly. but, it has a turbo frother. who cares if it works. the turbo frother is gauche. moved my office. had a brilliant idea (excuse). bring the gaggia and rocky to the office and buy a new machine and grinder for home. all for my three espressoes per day. had to have a machine without a turbo frother. bought a used tea and anfim haus from 1st-line. and a fresh roast roaster (forget where). and an i-roast (chriscoffee). and beans from deansbeans. now, the tea is on a timer. nice and warmed up when i get up. sometimes i do a cooling flush but most times i want (need) the caffeine right away. the best part of waking up....
Buying Experience
bought from 1st-line. had not one but 2 faulty psats. jim was great.
