I plan to purchase a Elektra Microcasa and running it together with a Rocky.
Anyone which have any experience of this combination?
Or any advantage to go for a La Pavoni Professional instead. Need some advice.

Thanks

I used a Rocky doserless and Pavoni Professional for a while and recently had to get rid of the rocky and Pavoni not b/c I wanted to . I have switched to a Gaggia Classic which I restored at very little cost.
I have been pretty happy over the years with the Pavoni & Rocky set-up, and didn't run into the game-changing issues that a lot of folks have with the Rocky, hence the rocky teflon and lid mod's, among others. It's a good grinder for the price. Never used a Elektra though, so I can't really compare.

Hi... yep I use a Rocky with doser with my Elektra Microcasa A Leva and have no problems... I set the Rocky 2-3 clicks above zero depending on the beans and have found it a great combination...
I purchased the Rocky because it is easy to reset when I want to use my other espresso machine... A doserless Rocky would be my choice if I purchased it again since the Elektra portafilter being 49mm is on the small side and would probably be easier to fill... I have had no issues with looseness in the threads as reported, mine is tight as.

I might get run out of town here, but there always seems to be lots of people asking about fixes for the La Pavoni lever, as though they are always breaking down...
The Elektra is so easy to replace or lube the seals, two screws and the spring assembly is out..

good luck with your choice..

I wonder why you are set on the Rocky? Do you already have one? They are OK grinders but if you are buying new, I think they are really overpriced. They certainly are in my country.

I might get run out of town here, but there always seems to be lots of people asking about fixes for the La Pavoni lever, as though they are always breaking down...

I think this has more to do with the number of Pavonis out there. I suspect there are far more Pavonis than any other domestic lever.

I have no experience with the Elektra machine but they sure are handsome. I think the grinder needn't affect your decision between the Elektra and Pavoni machines. Go for the one you lust after more

The Rocky has a... er... rock solid reputation, but depending on where you are based you may be able to get a better grinder for the same price or less.

Lever machines in general will let every improvement in grind quality become apparent in shot-to-shot consistency and in the cup. Always get the best grinder you can afford.

As to choosing between the Pavoni Pro and Elektra, here's a really quick summary of contrasts you may find helpful.

1) The build quality and ease of servicing of the Elektra are superior to the Pavoni

2) The initial learning curve on the Elektra is less steep than on the Pavoni, because the spring ensures an appropriate and consistent pressure profile during the shot.

3) The Elektra overheats slower than the Pavoni, which could be relevant if you regularly prepare more than 2-3 shots in a row. There are, however, ways of cooling both machines down between shots: holding the portafilter under cold running water, wrapping a cold wet rag around the grouphead and also lowering the pressurestat a bit - they tend to be set on the high side.

4) The Pavoni can deliver higher shot pressure than the Elektra. Once you become adept at using it you can get denser, sweeter, more crema-laden shots from the Pavoni (though it will take you time to learn this). Because the Pavoni is entirely manual you can also vary the pressure profile pretty much as you will, offering more versatility. That said, you don't have to just pull the Elektra lever and release. Once you master the technique you can try multiple partial pulls, choosing how far down to pull the lever in relation to how much pressure you want to the spring to apply (highest pressure when it is most compressed). Left to its own devices, the Elektra can pull a beautifully layered shot, separating out the different flavours in the coffee in a way that is almost unique.

In the end, which of these two machines you prefer will depend on your preferences in the cup. If you like big-bodied, rich chocolatey espressos, you may prefer pulling a good firm manual shot on the Pavoni. But if delicate single origins with nuanced flavours are your thing, you will find the Elektra captivating.

Cheers

Mike