Makes the best drip coffee I've ever had
Compact design
Looks good
Easy to use
Fast and focused on good coffee

No auto-off
Plastic parts are a bit cheesy
Water reservoir steams up after use (aesthetics)
Could benefit from some enhancements

I have been roasting my own coffee for a year now (Hottop). I generally enjoy drip daily and the occasional espresso or latte (silvia). I bought a Krups brewer a year ago (the one that has the integrated burr grinder). I was noticing that the quality out of the Krups was inconsistent and generally weak. I tried to tamp the grounds a bit to get a stronger taste but this lacked the "signature" of the same bean done in a french press. I decided enough was enough and wanted to get a good drip machine. Technivorm was recommended to me by a friend who researched all this but never actually bought one. I was struck by the number of products in the line and it seemed the biggest differences were around over-all look and the carafe (size and type). After reading the reviews of the 741 which seemed to be the "standard" there were a lot of complaints about the 10 cup carafe. I was able to see and play around with a CD10, CD10 with the carafe and a 741 with the small carafe in the store (Green Beanery in Toronto). I could see the downfall of the 10 cup carafe. I didn't like the look of the 741 but really liked the look of the CD10. so this lead me to decide on the CD10 with the glass carafe. Yes I know the heating plate is generally a no-no but its nice to have in cases where I am too lazy to transfer the coffee to a carafe. Also it wasn't clear to be if the stainless carafe they supply was vacuum or just double walled. I have a glass vacuum carafe that I use ($10 at winners) and so with the CD10 I get the best of both worlds (and save a little money too).

Now I totally understand the issues with the plastic filter housing and all that. yes its not the best design and seems cheesy. however here is what I do which pretty much avoids having to "deal" with the housing. I just leave the housing in place and use a bodum gold filter. I don't bother putting the lid on the filter housing. this way the only thing i remove is the gold filter and occasionally the whole filter housing to clean it. but, i usually just run some water through the housing in place. so really, i never have to remove it. it just stays there and the bodum gold filter gets moved in place to brew and out to clean. just swing the arm out of the way. also, it helps to see the brewing process and if so inclined, give the ground a little stir.

The net result is the best brewed coffee I have ever had. now i can taste the signature notes of the beans i roast and don't have to go through the french press process. i can enjoy a good full flavoured brew with no muss no fuss. in terms of cost, i don't consider this machine expensive for what it does. i paid $260 canadian. yes for a drip brewer its "one of the most expensive" however for what you get and compared to a good espresso machine (what? $3000?) its dirt cheap.

you'll notice my quality rating is 6. this is based on my "ideal" for a machine like this, outside of cost. for example some enhancements that would get it a 10 are: glass water resevoir, longer stainless arm with more strategically placed holes, stainless or glass filter holder ( wouldn't it be great if it was glass? it would be a visual delight to watch) and better fitting parts. also a an auto-off function. so this is just build quality compared to my ideal. but as it is its good enough.

I should have bought this back then instead of the krups. oh well, now i know.

great. its always good buying from the green beanery except they are a little slow at the cash register (seems they are always fiddling with ensuring they have the right products entered).