Heavy...solid...powerfull.  Blasts through beans like they aren't even there.  With a simple mod this grinder really grinds very nice for espresso...

I found that even though it says it will grind for espresso...the factory setting will not allow it to be used with a higher end espresso machine such as the Silvia.  The problem is fixed with the removal of one screw...it takes about 5 minutes.

I bought the the A9 at first because I was starting to drink more and  more coffee and found that I wanted a better grinder for the french press...it really made a great improvement for press coffee.  About 6 month later I found myself looking at and eventually buying a Silvia espresso machine.  I figured the A-9 would be good enough to use for espresso, I was wrong...at first.  The A-9 can grind much finder than the factory setting will let you.  The mod is simple to get it to do this.  In the back of the A-9 there is a single set screw that acts as a stop...with this screw removed I found that the A-9 works great for esspresso...mine is set 6 clicks finer than the factory setting and I'm getting great espresso from the Silvia now.  shots average 22 to 28 seconds depending on the coffee and the tamp.  I think I could a bit finer but this setting seems to work very well for me.  BE CAREFULL IF YOU DO THIS MOD...with the stop removed there is nothing to stop you from adjusting the burrs too close together and grinding metal on metal.  I first started by  making sure the grinder was off, then adjusting it until the burrs were touching...then backing it off a couple of settting...the first time I did actually grind the metal on metal...so I set it back a couple more.  Like I said I'm 6 clicks past the factory setting for the finest.  I get a little bit of clumping out of the shoot...but part of that is because the grind is very fine.   I have not used the Solis...but I have seen it and it doesn't seem like a very nice machine compared to the A-9 for the same price...after the mod there is no way I would ever buy the Solis...the A-9 is twice the machine if your willing to take out one screw...The grind is very consistant...and I bet on par with some of the more expensive grinders out there like the Rocky (after the single screw is take out of the back of the grinder).  I thought I was going to have to spend alot more on a grinder after I thought the A-9 wouldn't grind fine enough...but if your on a budget and are willing to do a 4 minute mod (that is reversable)...buy it and mod it...you'll be happy.

Kitchen Aid has been great...I called about replacement burrs and it seems they don't make any replacement parts...kind of scarey.