After doing some reading on this site over the last month, I am considering upgrading my 5 year old Gaggia Baby. I have read so many posts of folks going to shops that let them try out the equipment, or even offer classes to improve technique. Has anyone come across one of these in the suburbs of Chicago? I would love to either give a machine a try before I buy, or even attend a class or seminar to work on technique.

Thanks in advance!

You could call Intelligentsia. They might do one or both of the things you mentioned at their roasting facility downtown. With that said, they do charge a premium for their equipment above and beyond almost every online vendor. I know Metropolis holds the distribution rights to a few brands as well, but I believe they really only focus on commercial machines.

Do you have any specific machines in mind?

Thanks Warrior!

If I upgrade, I want to stay in the $1,000 range, less if possible. I just bought a Vario, so if I upgrade, it will all go to a machine, and would need to pair well with the Vario. Having a Gaggia Baby now, the Silvia seems like just a small step up. Above that, I am really confused by the different options available, and somewhat intimidated by the look of some models.

That said, I am not really sure what would be a decent machine around $1,000. It seems like most folks recommend a jump up to $1,500 to $2,000, which is definitely out of my league.

More importantly, I want to understand how big a difference this will make in my shots. By all accounts, it should make a big difference, but I want to taste for myself.

That is a tough price to hit on a new machine, but you could get a decent used machine for that much. What kind of drinks do you prefer? Do you usually have milk based drinks or stick with straight espresso?

I almost exclusively drink double shots. Occasionally I steam some milk for hot chocolate for the wife and kids, but that is rare. I have not made a latte or capp in over a year, and that was for a guest.

Do you plan on keeping the Baby Gaggia in addition to whatever machine you acquire? I am just trying to gauge you needs / wants in a machine.

No. The Baby would be replaced. I am looking for a machine that can help me consistently pull a great shot of Black Cat.

The background behind this decision is that I have the fortune to visit an Intelligentsia cafe about once a month. I have been growing frustrated over the last nine months as I cannot consistently deliver a similar espresso to the one I have in the cafe. My technique has been consistent, but the resulting espresso, while good, is not great. In particular, I do not get the bright notes from the Black Cat that I experience in the cafe. I recently got a Vario, and that grinds more consistently, but I still struggle with the full flavor spectrum in a shot.

Thanks for all the help and feedback.

Maybe get together with a local HB participant and try what they've got, like someone with an E61 HX machine. My PID'd Amica (not an HX but an E61) consistently produces satisfying cafe-quality shots. Then if necessary order one from one of the trusted resources here like 1st-Line Equipment. They're now selling an E61 HX for $1K. A similar choice recommended to me awhile back by another_jim is the Bezzera Line of pump machines at about that price point. Maybe one of our members locally has a machine like that. This is all if you need to buy new.

Like Warrior says if you are open to buying something used -- and I would add, if you aren't comfortable servicing it yourself, maybe a local HBer can recommend a reputable repair shop. You'll probably find your best deal on a machine like that on your local Craigslist. Out here in the SF Bay Area I've seen occasional ads for something as good as an Elektra T1 for about $1200. Something like that would exceed your expectations and need to be plumbed in or connected to a Flojet pump, but you would have great espresso for years from such a purchase. Also maybe check with HB team member Sherman and let him show you his Olympia Maximatic that he restored himself. I have one of those too and it will produce wonderful shots and powerful steaming for far less than $1K serviced. If you want to surf eBay, check out my thread on that here: Tips for Safer Online Buying of Used Espresso Gear

A third option is to contact the reputable sellers in our Resources area and ask if they have anything refurbished, or a display model or something. 1st-Line has a Facebook page where they advertise such offerings as well as a place on their site where they offer demo equipment.

I think the Chicago group is planning another meeting around April sometime. They want to play with the Bosco demo machine, which I should have by then >:) . That smile does not accurately reflect the size of my smile while typing that . There was talk of meeting up at the Counter Culture and taking her for a spin.

Congratulations, Mike! Wish I could be there! How about visiting the Bay Area for some Bosco demos?