a simple, functional and economical machine that makes excellent espresso
Positive Product Points
makes great espresso solid quality components low maintenance looks good excellent customer service excellent value
Negative Product Points
must occasionally add a few salt grains to water reservoir original gasket would expand with frequent use (no problem with new style tapered gasket) noisy pump pump starts randomly for a couple of seconds every few days
Detailed Commentary
i love this machine. using home i-roasted greenline beans and a macap m4 grinder, the oscar makes consistently excellent espresso. i'm not saying there is no better espresso, but i haven't had it.
i leave the machine on all the time and it is alway ready to go.
i had one of the portafilters converted to bottomless. the bottomless portafilter helped me to tweak grinding and tamping to where i get consistent results. i pretty much know what the shot will taste like when i see it pour.
i hardly ever make a milk drink. however, the oscar works well when i do steam milk.
i get way better and more consistent results with this machine than i did with my old rancillio silvia.
in my opinion, simple functional design of the oscar is attractive. my machine has the mat black finish which cleans up with a few sponge wipes. to me it would be a waste of time to always be cleaning the hot nooks and crannies of an all stainless steel machine.
for the price of most of the popular high quality espresso machines, i got the oscar, i-roast2 and macap m4.
every once in a while i think about getting a vivaldi ii, but i am not yet convinced that i would get any better espresso.
Buying Experience
roberto, ceo of nuova simonelli usa, convinced me to buy this machine instead of the more expensive machine i called to ask about. i don't regret following his advice. tech support people were very patient and helpful in answering my greenhorn questions while learning how to use the machine.
