BDL,

Thank you for the extremely informative and valuable post. A local roaster and espresso repair here in the Pittsburgh area had some 110v HX machines either refurbished or as extras from catering. I believe he had available a NS Appia, a Cimbali M21, and a Conti something or other. I will have to get more details from him next week as to what is available, condition, and pricing. I'm on pretty good terms with them and will most likely work with them in the future. I'm now open to both DB and HX, I think it will come down to whichever I find the best available deal for.


On a side note, perseverance has finally paid off. Landed a Barista position in downtown Pittsburgh today. There is a small cafe within one of the corporate law buildings that is getting taken over by two new owners. The building has roughly 800 employees and those are the people I will be serving. The new owners have catering business experience but not coffee. So I really get to take control of where their coffee quality is heading *hopefully not off a cliff*. She hired me after a 30 minute phone conversation. The roaster that I am friendly with is coming in on Saturday and we are having training for the day. Will be taking over control of the cafe after Labor Day weekend. Giggity giggity!

Jay_Raz wrote:I believe he had available a NS Appia, a Cimbali M21, and a Conti something or other.

These are all nice machines. The Cimbali will be the least flashy but most robust and easiest to source parts/service for. I'd buy the Conti, any Conti, but then I have a thing for French espresso machines (and Monte Carlo is almost France).