RapidCoffee wrote:Not recently. But I did have to replace a wheel bearing on my S4.

I thought you drove a WRX.

I don't get the car analogies; it's hard enough trying to compare espresso machines without the transformation. Besides, if LM is the Ferrari of the espresso world, the GS/3 should have destroyed their reputation. It just does not work for me.

I think that personal preference is the only thing that will make a difference using any of the machines listed in this thread. My Brewtus II, by the way, is just over 3 years old. I have had to replace the vacuum valve and the teflon tube that acts as the external HX between the brew and steam boilers in that time. Both very easy fixes. When I get the chance, I need to replace the original nylon opv. That is a pretty good record for a machine of that age that has done regular service daily. I still love making espresso and steaming milk with it. I hope it lasts me 10 years.

By the look of it, it seems the BIII has addressed weaknesses like the teflon HX. It should be as reliable as any other machine with that amount of electronics in it.

Mark

Dogshot wrote:I thought you drove a WRX.

I do. The S4 is marital detritus. Neither car bears the slightest resemblance to any of my espresso machines.

My main questions about Brewtus are:
1. Quality. I noticed on the sites review it got a 7.5 but that was V1. Has it improved?
2. Steaming ability. Again new tip so has it improved over V1?
3. Will it run okay off of a 1/4 refrigerator water connection?

P.S. Does anyone have a good frappuccino recipe? I am getting some Monin Organic Syrup with Brewtus if I buy.

EDIT: Grinder Recommendation? About 800 to spend, new, from WLL.

I don't think anyone can objectively answer #1. the BIII seems to have a lot of upgraded parts and a lot of more reputable compents than in the past.

For #2, it looks to have the same steam arm and tip as found on the ECM Rocket/QM Andreja and Vetrano. This is far better than what they've had in the past and I can say my Vetrano does very well for steaming. Also as a DB it should do far better as you can crank up the pressure a bit to get even more steam.

For #3, a 1/4 inch water connection should be fine.

I can agree with the Brewtus 3 as a Hyundai Genesis & the Vibi as a Chevy but the better build quality & what I feel is a better design bumps the Alex up to older (E34) 5 Series level for me. Well built, nice design, good looks, a pleasure to drive but a bit out of date. As far as the Vivaldi S1V2 I see it as more of a Lexus then a Prius. Technically advanced, lots of features, easy to drive, modern looks but without the soul & classic looks of the 5 series.
I love my 535i & can't imagine ever selling it but when it comes time to make my Espresso I don't mind having a Lexus on the counter.

RapidCoffee wrote:Automotive analogies to espresso machines have never made sense to me. An espresso machine is more like an electric hot water kettle.

The Brewtus is like a Krups kettle, the LaSpaziale is like a ......darn, I only know one kettle.

I like the LaSpaziale as a Lexus analogy better than a Prius. Makes more sense.... but with the plastic side panels of a Saturn.

Too bad I don't know much about Hyundai vs Chevy . No way would I ever buy a lexus!!! BWM Acura Maybe.

Michal wrote:Grinder Recommendation? About 800 to spend, new, from WLL.

WHICH GRINDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michal wrote:Too bad I don't know much about Hyundai vs Chevy . No way would I ever buy a lexus!!! BWM Acura Maybe.



WHICH GRINDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about doing a little research since it's your money. I never really understood the practice of someone asking complete strangers how they should spend thousands of dollars when they've obviously done little research themselves & seem to know little more than the names of the machines.

I looked through the Grinders forum and there isn't much information about my price range. I know the Mazzer Mini is a solid choice but I want something that distributes the grounds evenly and neatly. Is the Super Jolly a good upgrade from the mini? I know it has larger burrs and motor. Again I am limited to WLL's selection. These "strangers" have more experience than me with my little Rocky. It's not like some will say go buy than new Folger's grinder for 10000 and I'll say SURE! I love folger's coffee!

Endo wrote:Can I kindly suggest you start another topic if you wish to discuss grinders. There's enough discussion in this topic for the dual boiler gang.

And Cars

Michal wrote:I looked through the Grinders forum and there isn't much information about my price range.

Not true. Have another look. If anything there is too much information on $800 grinders.

Can I kindly suggest you start another topic if you wish to discuss grinders. There's enough discussion in this topic for the dual boiler gang.

Grinder, get a Robur, 220 3 phase. I love spending someone else's money. So much for the budget.

In that price range you can get a very good grinder, Mazzer Super Jolly would be high on my list.

Michal wrote:BWM Acura Maybe.

Who makes the "BWM Acura"?

OK, leaving the automotive analogies behind for a moment, it does seem to me that you are asking the same question over and over again, and it is somewhat understandable. You're caught in a bind that many of us have gone through when initially buying our first "serious" prosumer machine. It's a lot of money, and you don't want to make a mistake by buying the "wrong" machine.

So, as many people have already said, any of these machines will work.

As far as reputation is concerned:

• Expobar (as a company) is the weakest overall, although the reputation of the Brewtus II is quite good. There is no reason to suspect that their new machine, the III, is a turkey. Indeed, initial reports from the first group of users seems quite positive.
• Vibiemme has a strong reputation as a company, as does their HX machine, the Super Domobar; their dual boiler machine is also relatively new in the marketplace, but solid and ruggedly built.
• Izzo has been around for a long time, but (relatively speaking) is newest to the American market, but the Alex (HX) and Alex Duetto (DB) are gaining lots of fans, and it seems to be the most versatile.
• La Spaziale has an excellent, rock solid reputation, as does the Vivaldi II.

Take your pick.

But remember, it is YOU making the coffee, not the machine . . .

Cheers,
Jason

Clearly I am a newbie to espresso, and I struggled with the same decision, same machines. I called Chris at Chris Coffee and spoke with him at length about each of the machines. I chose the Mini Vivaldi II, and expect delivery this week. My decision was based on the strong reputation of the Vivaldi machines, my sense that the Mini V offered slightly more technology and features, and perhaps most importantly, my preference for the less flashy more "commercial" visual aesthetics of the Vivaldi. Everyone's comment about each machine being capable of making wonderful espresso is probably quite accurate, so I suggest you get the one you want to look at and operate.

I think you will be happy with the Vivaldi.

My decision came down to the BIII or the Vivaldi. I went with the Vivaldi and have now been using it for just over a month. All I can saw is wow. I love this thing. Even my wife (she wouldn't touch the old machine) makes good coffee with it.

One of the factors in the purchase was my now old machine. It was an Expobar Pulser. The base grade model. I bought it used and it served me well for 3 years with some down time once a year to fix odds and ends. When the BIII came out I looked at pictures of the guts. It looked just like my Pulser. Wiring, boiler, Pstat, and tubing all seemed to be the same stuff. Nothing wrong with that from a budget stand point but I didn't want to cut myself short for what in the long run is a small amount of money.

-Steve

I too bought the Mini Vivaldi. I've had it for 1 month now and all I can say is the same thing....wow! I have the same experience with my wife now operating the machine. It super easy and fun to operate. I leave the brew boiler on 24/7 and turn the steam boiler on as needed. She looks so beautiful I can't stop staring at her (my wife I'm talking about of course) . It's no wonder there is a whole website dedicated to the Vivaldis.

Only downside, I'm buying a lot more coffee.

WOW!!! You married your Vivaldi?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! So that's how they made the mini...... Although I see you guys LOVE your Vivaldis I think im going to get the brewtus. The adjustable pre-infusion isn't a big feature to me ( The review said it was hard to tell the difference) and the Brewtus seems to have better temp. stability. The main complaints I read about Brewtus were: OPV (Todd informed me it has been upgraded the OPV) and the drip tray which has also been upgraded. Another major complaint was the temp. controller failed but that doesn't apply to the PID. Is HB doing a review of the Brewtus III? I know Dan lives really close and if he wants to drop by a few times that's fine but i'm not sure that's enough time for their very detailed review.

Michal wrote:the Brewtus seems to have better temp. stability. The main complaints I read about Brewtus were: OPV (Todd informed me it has been upgraded the OPV) and the drip tray which has also been upgraded. Another major complaint was the temp. controller failed but that doesn't apply to the PID. Is HB doing a review of the Brewtus III?

I think you'll be a happy guy with your new Brewt. I agree with you, it is hard to beat in temp. stability, in fact, it seems to be Todd's priority to make sure temp. stability is second to none. Yes, you'll have a Gicar PID, so no worries there.

Please post your thoughts after you get some time to dial her in.

They are all good machines. Like everyone has said, you can't really make a bad choice here. I still think the Vivaldi is the best machine at the best price, but you're the one who has to pull shots on it every day. You seem to have all the info you need to decide. So now just go with your gut....feel the force.

I was in your boots as well. What convinced me was when I actually tried the machine, held the PF in my hand and felt its weight, when I pulled the shot and saw the color and smell of the crema. You do not choose the machine....the machine chooses you.....oh wait, I've moved on to Harry Potter now.