Congratulations! Enjoy it . . .

GS/3

Seriously.

Hi everyone. I thought I would post a status update to my kitchen/espresso equipment upgrade decisions.

After a bit more serious looking at the photos, my wife has decided that the Speedster looks more retro rather than like a spaceship. And to make a long story shorter, I've got a Speedster on order for a June delivery!! I'm a bit concerned about having the import process go smoothly, though Kees has assured me that it has gone well in his experience and if worse comes to worst at customs he would take the machine back.

I've been looking into water systems as our city water is quite hard, and for now I'm going to try the water softener that comes with the Speedster coupled with a charcoal filter and see how it tests out. I'm not crazy about the extra sodium in the soft water, but an RO system with a bypass isn't free of issues either. Other forums on water treatment have been very informative.

I went to the Black Sheep coffeehouse in St Paul the past weekend for the first time, a very cool place with experienced barristas, a Clover, Synesso, etc., but one of the new and interesting discoveries I made there was a Versalab M3 grinder (sitting next to the higher volume Mazzers). It seemed a) compact for home use, b) cleans it self out every time its used, and c) awesome grind quality and distribution in the portafilter, but also d) rather pricy at $1700. I looked up the Versalab on some of the forums here and sounds like some of the early models had spindle runout and belt slipping issues, but otherwise sounds like a really cool grinder for my application, which I'm seriously considering (versus the doserless Macap MC4, another consideration).

So, overall, a pretty high $ upgrade from my current Pavoni setup and more than I originally intended, but hopefully one that will last me the rest of my life and that I'll be very happy using. I've had a blast investigating here at HB and elsewhere - thanks to everyone for their input here and in all the other forums! Now, to the perfect coffee cups (but that's another thread..)

Cheers, Steve

Congratulations on the upcoming new combo. I am using both the Speedster and the Versalab M3 regularly. You will not be sorry if you decide to use the Speedster with the M3.

The Cimbalis are really well built machines. I have one and I'm definitely happy with it. As others have mentioned, the grinder is just as important, if not more so, than the espresso machine. I just upgraded to a Cimbali Junior grinder and it was well worth it.

One option you have is to look for a used Cimbali. If you find one in decent shape (assuming the price is right), it can be tuned up or rebuilt for probably less than the cost of new. And with the built quality, you don't have to worry so much. In that case, though, the looks may not be perfect. I am still working on restoring the looks of M31 -- I'll get there -- but it's not where I want it to be just yet.

cyclones wrote:The Cimbalis are really well built machines. I have one and I'm definitely happy with it. As others have mentioned, the grinder is just as important, if not more so, than the espresso machine. I just upgraded to a Cimbali Junior grinder and it was well worth it.

One option you have is to look for a used Cimbali. If you find one in decent shape (assuming the price is right), it can be tuned up or rebuilt for probably less than the cost of new. And with the built quality, you don't have to worry so much. In that case, though, the looks may not be perfect. I am still working on restoring the looks of M31 -- I'll get there -- but it's not where I want it to be just yet.

If I was looking for a used commercial machine in good condition, I'd jump on the chance to get a Cimbali if it was available. The design is not perfect for home use, but they are bulletproof, easy to work on, and if handled properly they almost never break down.

ken