Yeah, I'd considered that too. I suppose it's basically an E61 vs. Bezzera question for me. Jim Schulman suggested, in another thread, that the Bezzera grouphead is more forgiving (I believe he used the words "idiot-proof") than the E61.

Well, for better or for worse, I've decided on the Bezzera. Just need to sell some music gear to scare up the last bit of cash.

The last reservation I have is that I've heard a lot more about the BZ07 than the BZ10. I'm assuming the internals are identical, and that all the good said about the 07 applies to the 10. The only real difference is the position of the water wand and the double gauge. Neither of these will affect the great build quality and thermal stability of the machine.

thats's right!

I got this response from iDrinkCoffee when I was checking out my options:

The BZ07 and BZ10 are the same machine on the inside, the only difference is the placement of the hot water tap and the double manometer. The hot water tap is on the right side of the machine on the Bz10 and it has double gauges.

Wishing you well.

brokemusician77 wrote:Hey folks,
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So:
BZ10:
Pros:
- HX machine
- Bezzera has good reputation for build quality
- Dual Gauges
- Steam & Hot water switches rather than knobs
- Stable Temp. & short flushes.
- Brew head on Bezzera is reportedly more forgiving than E61
- Right in my price range $1295.

Cons:
- Not crazy about the idea of heaters in brewhead (more to go wrong?)
- Parts/repairs for Bezzera may be harder to come by than E61
- 1 portafilter

Izzo Vivi
Pros:
- HX machine.
- Izzo has good reputation for build quality
- E61 (Easier to find parts, and to add Eric's Thermometer adapter)
- Preinfusion? (not sure on this)
- Comes with Two complete portafilters.
- Double walled
- Steam wand on right hand side

Hi, i am just troubled right now, can you refer me to the source of the brew head being reportedly more forgiving tha an e61? Right now i am in the middle of a moral struggle to replace my Bz10 with some E61 like rocket evoluzione... and i thought the non-E61 electricaly heated head of BZ10 is anything but forgiving:)

I can't find the post right now. I do remember that it was "another_jim" who gave me that impression. He was comparing a few different group designs, E-61, NS, & another. Maybe La Marzocco? Anyway, hope that helps.

thanks, it heplps, i found a heap of new information, but it seems that another_jim is probably one of a few people on the planet ho had the chance of working/crosstasting lever vs e61 vs bezzera - i am going to chase him for some more info on that, otherwise my mind explodes with ambiguity....
anyway, to add my conclusion, bezzera really does a lot of clarity and acidity, especially with light roasts... sometimes acidity is even too bright, bau that may be a barista error...
but i had a dark, overroasted blend tested once, it almost tore my tongue apart, coal, dust, woody, oxidized oils, baaaah, and it worked as a decent bitter cup with my old silvia/rocky setup... so bezzera really pulls a lot of flavour from the cofee

This sounds like something on your end. All good espresso machines can make a light-roasted coffee with acidity that's too intense and over-roasted coffee as unbearably bitter as you describe. The machine would be last in the line of usual suspects. What's your boiler pressure set at? What's your brew pressure set at?

But before you start fussing with those things, what coffee are you using? How much are you dosing? How fast is the shot flowing?

Read Jim's How-To before you start thinking about changing machines.

Espresso 101: How to Adjust Dose and Grind Setting by Taste