If I wasn't a sucker for high aesthetics and low prices, I'd skip this mid-range machine and go for broke on a e-61.
Positive Product Points
Pretty! Simple metal toggle switches and clean compact design. Huge water reservoir and huge drip tray.
Negative Product Points
Awkward position of too short steam wand. Steam outputs lots of wet steam that can noticeably water down the milk.
Detailed Commentary
I bought the machine as a refurb and have had no problems. For over a year now we use this machine daily and bought it to replace a Pavoni lever machine that my wife hated for it's manual nature.
It's pretty easy to get a decent espresso with an okay crema, but the steam wand leaves much to be desired. It's just too short for a pitcher of milk and seems to push out lots of water with the steam to the point that the milk becomes and tastes diluted. So for the time being, we use the Giada for espresso and the La Pavoni for steaming the milk.
Eventually, I hope to sell both and move up to a e61 machine.
Buying Experience
Online, pushed some buttons, it arrived a few days later.
