Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker here first time poster. I am in the process of replacing my Silvia and have these two machines on my short list. My choices with these machines are mostly due to budget. I live in Canada and these two machines are quite close in prices. I cant seem to find much user feed back on the magica and would like to know if there is any differences with the two machines in terms of performance and quality of shots. I'd like to add the rocket evoluzione to the list but i think its quite similar to the premium plus line besides being able to plumb in, rotary pump, the extra pressure gauge and the ability to drain out the drip tray but produce pretty much the same quality of shot. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

The Magica seems like the better deal here to me with the joystick steam and hot water wand along with the extra pressure gauge reader for $100 cheaper than the Rocket. The only thing I really would like on the magica would be antiburn wands. However, is there something I'm not seeing in the Rocket machine that sets it apart from the Bezzera? Maybe something internal? Your inputs on the two would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Hi Bryan

I researched both these machines when I was shopping. ( I ended up getting a Mini Vivaldi) I think they are both very good machines and for all intent purposes would make excellent espresso/caps. I stopped into i Drink Coffee in Milton and they provided a demo on the Magica for me. Made great espresso and the steam power was impresive. I really like the steam wand feature on this machine - instant on/off.

I think the Magica has a slightly more powerful heating element (1350 watts) vs the 1200 watts in the Rocket. Maybe not a huge deal but may heat up faster and provide more powerful steam.

Things I like about the Rockets are:

1.the fit and finish
2.probably easier to get serviced as there seem to be more retailers
3.there is no hose going into the water reservoir. The reservoir has a valve at bottom that feeds directly to the machine - just looks neater IMO
4. Has a removable water cover on top of machine. No need to remove cups from the top when you want to refill

Having said that, I think the Magica looks very nice and from what I understand Bezzera is a very established company in Europe and has greater market share from what you see in North America. Should be very reliable.

I would go with the Magica just because of the steam wand feature.

At the end of the day I would pick the machine you think looks the best on your counter as they are very close.

Good luck with your purchase

Tom

Also a long time lurker and also trying to decide between a Rocket or Bezzera

But for the Bezzera I would go for the Giulia or the Mitica because they both have an easy access to the water tank.

Some other differences between the Rocket and the Bezzera's

The water tank of the Bezzera is 4 l against the 2.9 l of the Rocket
As mentioned earlier the Rocket has no water tubes in the water tank.

Rocket uses some different parts on its machines like a commercially rated Sirai pressurestat and a nickel plated boiler.

If the Rocket had a second pressure gauge the choice would be very easy. The Rockets are also known of a well thought out internal design.

Pricewize the Bezzera is hard to beat and for the quality the more well known BZ0x machines seems to be of decent quality.

Both look nice so that doesn't favor it in any way.

I hope there are some ppl who can comment on the pros and cons on both machines.

=D i was just about to ask about the water reservoir on both machines. Why is it hard to access the magica water reservoir? Also is the water reservoir tank open top or closed, since i like to clean mine quite often. I have yet to find pictures of the internal of this machine also. I do like the extras it has over the rocket but I would still like a well thought of internal design.

I would not say the Magica water reservoir is difficult to refill. The entire cup tray just has to be removed. The water reservoir is entirely open on the top so it should be easy to fill and clean.

There is a basic manual for the Magica in the Bezzera site -

http://bezzera.it/prodotti.php?lang=en&...&prodid=49

Cheers

xriddler wrote:I am in the process of replacing my Silvia and have these two machines on my short list.

Why? In other words, what is it about these two machines that have caused you to zero in on them? Other machines are also in this price range, so it cannot be only "budget."

Standard Questions:
1) What kind of drinks do you like/want to make? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's capabilities.)
2) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself needing to make at ay one time? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's ability to work continuously.)
3) How many drinks, on average, do you see yourself making in any given week? (This will tell us what you need in terms of a machine's durability.)
4) Can you plumb a machine directly into the water supply, or do you want/need a pourover machine with its own reservoir?
5) Do you have a 20-amp circuit available, or only a (standard) 15-amp circuit?
6) What is your budget for a new machine? Does that include a grinder? If not, what is your budget for a grinder?

You don't list any equipment on your profile, and while you say you're in the process of replacing your Silvia, you don't mention a grinder. Hopefully you have one, as you cannot make good (let alone great) espresso without one . . .

Babbie's Rule* of Fifteens:
-- Green (unroasted) coffee beans should be roasted within 15 months, or they go stale.
-- Roasted coffee beans should be ground within 15 days, or they go stale.
-- Ground coffee should be used within 15 minutes, or it goes stale.

Your choice.

Cheers,
Jason

* OK, so there are very few hard-and-fast "rules" -- more like "rules-of-thumb."

Thanks jason, just to clarify

1) I like milk drinks and would like to play with latte art. Even though i do drink espresso prob half the time
2) I'm the only one in my family of 4 that drink coffee and i usually have two a day however occasionally i'll serve others with it.
3) See #2
4) I can plump in but i would need to modify a bit of my counter space and atm thats a nono. If i had the plump in option I would try to get a machine with manual infusion.
5) i have only 15a outlets
6) i have a compak k3 touch, it works but theres been some problem with it lately.

I am in canada and it seems only idrinkcoffee has a wider range of machines. I did have the vibiemme super hx in my mind but i heard people were having problems with this machine. The ones idrinkcoffee carry are old stock too since 2011 the domobar is now a rotary pump + the ability to plumb in the machine. I am also looking for a e61 lever machine and i dont see the option on their website to other the vibiemme super hx as a lever. However their warranty for vibiemme machines is 1 year compared to rocket and bezzera's 2 years coverage. From the start too i never liked the style of quick mill machines for some reason.

Bryan, I'm sorry to ask more questions, but . . .

xriddler wrote:I am also looking for a e61 lever machine and i dont see the option on their website to other the vibiemme super hx as a lever.

Why?

Keep in mind that the Vibiemme Domobar Super is not, strictly speaking a "lever machine," but a semi-automatic, the difference with it (and many others) is that the original e61 group was activated by a small lever (levetta), rather than a button, a rocker switch, or some other device. So when you say "lever machine," many will think first and for most of something like this Faema:


Faema, as you probably know, invented the e61 group, and here is their "original" version:


As you can see, the original e61 was operated by a little "levetta," and the Vibiemme (as well as many others) still use it. Others use an e61/e61 "clone" and replace the levetta with some other form of switch.

Now, the e61 is a great design. Proof positive is that it was designed in 1961, and is still in widespread use 50 years later! But there is nothing "magical" about it -- at least, not anymore. There are many designs out there that are equal or better than the e61.

With the low volume of use (2x a day), I'm very tempted to suggest the Bezzera BZ07 semi-auto, but it isn't a levetta. Suffice it to say that any of the machines you are considering will serve you well for years to come. Since you are in Toronto, perhaps you can visit idrinkcoffee.com in Milton and see the machines for yourself, ask questions, etc., etc.

Cheers,
Jason