Good if you dont care, or dont know what you're doing, but serious buyers should drop a bit more cash for a real machine.
Positive Product Points
Easy to use, let me break into the espresso world without breaking into my bank account. The machine was pretty capable once some basic mods were made. Big heavy portafilter.
Negative Product Points
Plastic parts, pressurized filter baskets, thermoblock, the steam wand is practically garbage, hard to find replacement gaskets, never managed to remove the dispersion screen for a full cleaning, small water reservoir, easily choked.
Detailed Commentary
The machine is a low end consumer model designed for the anybody, that i s, the anybody who has no idea what real espresso tastes like. the machine uses pressurized baskets and a not too easily modified frothing attachment that make the system perfect for anyone who considers S'bucks the king of coffee. After switching out for non pressurized baskets, removing the steam wand and replacing it with a DIY acorn nut style wand, and buying a capable grinder, I did manage to squeeze a few good shots out of her, and while it did take far to long to heat up, I managed to get satisfactory microfoam from the modded wand. The machine choked at grinds that on most prosumer models wouldn't be fit for drinking. Though somehow the combination of hardware and grind worked while I had it, and the machine was a good entry point for me.
final thought: after switching the baskets, modding the wand, and learning to tamp, buying a grinder and trying new roasts, I managed to develop an appreciation for coffee I never had before, and learned enough of the style necessary to move into the prosumer market fully capable. The experience with the machine taught me a bit about how grind, temp, tamp, and freshness all influence final taste, and I think the learning experience was worth it.
Buying Experience
BB&B? well, I dont normally care for them, but I guess it was alright.
