Believe the hype - this machine is within the means of the average consumer and will deliver outstanding results.
Positive Product Points
The Rocky produces grind that is consistent - no boulders and dust with this machine!
Negative Product Points
Bean hopper design not tapered. You sometimes have to agitate the beans to keep them flowing into the burrs. I use a plastic spoon versus shaking or tapping the Rocky.
Detailed Commentary
I have been very pleased with the quality of this product. I had originally purchased a Cuisinart DBM-8, and while it was better than buying pre-ground coffee or using a blade grinder, I found it to be loud, messy because of static issues, and it produced a grind that wasn't very even. I wanted to be able to extract the best quality from my beans for use in my recently purchased Technivorm KBT 741. With the help of reviews here on CoffeeGeek and taking into consideration that I have been toying with the idea of adding a Rancilio Silvia, the decision became clear to me.
After unpacking the machine, I noted that it is very well built. It makes my old Cusinart look like a toy. After grinding some beans through it, I was impressed with how much quieter it is than my previous grinder. Certainly no issues with quality of grind either. No dust and boulders from this one! While the machine may be a little overkill for my present needs, I can rest assured that it will be ready for duty should I take the plunge into the world of espresso.
The only negative to this whole experience is that my Wife and I have started consuming more coffee, which means we will have to keep more beans on hand. We were out of town this past weekend and couldn't wait to get back home to drink a good cup. It's amazing how once you've had a real quality cup you find most of the other stuff you are offered tastes like sludge! (No offense to the relatives:-))
Buying Experience
I purchased the Rancilio from Whole Latte Love. I found the experience to be hassle-free. Their website is laid out nicely and items are easy to find. I received an email with a tracking number in relatively short time and the product arrived double-boxed, without damage, and actually a little quicker than I had anticipated. I would definitely do future business with them. If I do decide to go with the Rancilio Sylvia, they will probably get the order.
