My favorite drink right now is an 8oz latte with 4 shots of espresso. My husband drinks a similar latte, with just a little more milk, maybe 10-12oz. This is what I make every morning. We also like to have afternoon coffee - normally consisting of 2 shots each, in the form of a small (4oz) cappuccino for me, an iced latte with foam for him, or some variation thereof. On average, 6 days or so per month, I am also making similar drinks for friends - a total of four, 4 shot, 10oz lattes.

I started off with a Starbucks Barista about 6 and a half years ago and used it every day for 2, almost 3 years. I then "upgraded" (as much as I hate to admit it) to a super-automatic Delonghi Magnifica 3400. Although this machine is convenient to use, convenience comes at a price - espresso which needs serious help from a splash of heavy cream and 4oz of milk to even be palatable. I am ready for a true upgrade. An upgrade that I suspect, and hope, will have me starting my morning off with a double espresso sans milk, enjoying the true complexities and deliciousness that have been hiding in my lattes all these years. This enjoyment will be followed by a double latte (6oz or so) and I'll also make a latte for my husband. I am trying to convey, clearly, what my expectations are for a machine: exceptional espresso, exceptional microfoaming abilities (latte art quality foam is high on my list), and the ability to make multiple drinks in succession.

I have read all of the reviews on this site and I have also spent a considerable amount of time reading forums on specific questions that I have had. I think I have narrowed down my choices to 3 machines with a possible 4th and now I am looking for some direction from this much respected group of espresso lovers. I am also open to any other suggestions if anyone can think of something that would fit my needs more appropriately. My budget is $2500 for machine, grinder, and accessories (tamper, knockbox, perhaps an additional portafilter). If there is a significant difference, we am willing to spend up to $3000. The options I have come up with and why:

1)La Spaziale Vivaldi II either mini or original - I am drawn to this machine because of it's temperature stability. As a soon-to-be first time user of this class of espresso machine, and a person who is relatively new to brewing espresso for espresso itself, I like the comfort of knowing what the brew temperatures will be and how that will help me to easily experiment with different beans and experience the changes in flavors based on different brewing temperatures. Basically, I feel like I will know what what variable I am changing when experimenting, provided that I, of course, can maintain predictability in other areas. I also liked the DB feature because of my steaming needs. I like the idea of being able to steam independent of brew temperature management. Additional drawing features include auto dosing and preinfusion (although I don't believe the mini has this feature). It seems like this machine would be very reliable and predictable, read: comfortable.

2)Quickmill Andreja Premium: I liked this machine because it seems to fit all of my needs - including size. As far as I can tell, it has the ability to produce superb espresso, it has the ability to produce latte art calibre microfoam, and it has the ability to make several drinks in succession. It also fits in the space that I currently have. Also, my liking of this machine has a lot to do with the recommendation of Intelligentsia - I guess when producer of the much talked about Black Cat espresso and the employer of this years World Barista Competition talks, I listen.

3)Vibiemme Domobar Super: I liked this machine because of it's solid construction, commercial build quality, thermosyphon which, as I understand, helps to reduce flush amount and increase temperature consistency. Steaming capabilities seem desirable.

4)My fourth 'optional' choice is the Elektra Microcasa Semiautomatica: Honestly, the review on this website had me ready to purchase it without further research. Quoting from the review:

I was sold on the Semiautomatica when I pulled its first single shot. It and the ones that followed have consistently been in godshot territory.

and

...after you've steamed with it once, the only question you'll have is why anyone would have wanted to mess with the design... For one or two cappuccinos at a time, it's the easiest and best frothing espresso machine I've used.

Not to mention the beauty of the machine. But my question is: How good, really, is this machine? Is it really the rating of 9 for exceptional espresso and 9 for cappuccino lovers? Is it worth the upkeep and the so-called inconveniences of the immobile steam wand, exposed boiler, small drip tray, etc? If it's really that good, I'm ready to buy it.

A couple more things: First, I tend to lean more toward a HX machine because I really like the pride factor that goes along with knowing you were entirely (relatively speaking) responsible for the perfect temperature and extraction. I kind of feel like a DB, with automatic temperature control, is 'cheating'. I may be completely off-base and I am more than willing to admit that. I guess what I am trying to say is that temperature 'surfing' doesn't scare me, it doesn't intimidate me, but rather, it presents me with a challenge that I am excited about not only overcoming but also feeling that sense of accomplishment when I do. Second, size is kind of an issue. Of the machines listed here, only the Andreja would fit in the space I have. The other machines would require minor to less than major modifications to the preferred space, or they would require us finding a new space entirely. A new space would be inconvenient but worth it for the right machine. One of my major questions is: are these machines similar enough to let size alone be the determining factor? Or are there significant enough differences between them in quality of espresso and microfoam to merit the modifications?

Any help, recommendations, and/or advice is much appreciated. I thank you in advance.

I have the Semiautomatica was just telling a friend that the reason I set my sights on an Elektra was that I went to an HB coffee get together at Counter Culture and I had shots pulled from their La Marzocco GB 80(?) paired with a Robur and a Semi paired with a Super Jolly and the shots from the Elektra were by far my favorites. Perhaps I like shots from a Super Jolly better than a Robur, but it seemed more likely that it was the Elektra that had won me over. Put that together with the reviews here and elsewhere and it seemed like an excellent choice.

It is not a perfect machine, but most of the flaws are laid out in the review online. The cheapest machine I'd consider upgrading for would be the A3/T1 and even then it would be more about convenience (plumbed in, bigger steam boiler, perhaps more reliable) than taste.

Often people suggest buying based on the vendor support, but Stefano at Espressocare is world class so that works well for the machine, too. (There are, of course, other great vendors out there, too, for example I bought it from a different great vendor, but the person I bought it from no longer stocks it).

I'll also add that most of the other machines you mention are supposed to be great and I bet I would have been very happy with them, too. I don't think there is a best choice in this price range - just lots of great choices.

As everyone always points out the grinder is at least as important as the machine, so make sure you get a good one. (I can testify that a Super Jolly and a Vario both pair nicely with this machine and I expect any of the other grinders in that class or above would, too).

I would stay away from the Elektra Semi for larger sized milk drinks. The power is only 800 watts, and it slows down to poor performance for milk lots larger than 6 ounces, since it can't replace the lost heat quickly enough. The La Spaziale is in full commercial terriitory for large milk drinks; the Andreja and Vibiemme are intermediate in the semi-commercial pack, but still over the magic 30 second line (so you can finish steaming while pulling the shot).

The Bezzera BZ07 I tested came in at 37 seconds for 12 ounces. It is attractively priced and very compact. It should be on your short list. It also has a straight shot taste profile almost identical to the Elektra's; which is particularly suitable for SOs and lower dose shots, if that ever interests you.

As everyone always points out the grinder is at least as important as the machine, so make sure you get a good one. (I can testify that a Super Jolly and a Vario both pair nicely with this machine and I expect any of the other grinders in that class or above would, too).

Of course! Grinder! How did I not mention that? Any thoughts on the Macap M4 stepless? Right now, that is the grinder I am looking at as it fits within my budget and seems to have other features that I like: size, sweeps clean, fine-tuning, etc.

I would stay away from the Elektra Semi for larger sized milk drinks. The power is only 800 watts, and it slows down to poor performance for milk lots larger than 6 ounces, since it can't replace the lost heat quickly enough.

This may be just a habit I have picked up from the current set-up that I have but I always make drinks individually, so I wouldn't be steaming more than 6oz at a time. 6oz is about all I would ever be steaming, finishing one latte before moving onto the next. So I guess my question is, what is the recovery time expected to be after steaming one 6oz pitcher of milk? Would it start to falter before finishing four 6oz portions and pulling 16 shots?

All the larger commercial machines are designed, at a minimum, to turn out a double espresso, and steam a 6 ounce cappa, every minute on every group. The La Spaziale falls in this category in terms of performance

The Elektra and Bezzera machines also can do this for straight doubles, and for prepping four cappas, but I've never taken them further than this. The E61 thermosyphons may recover a little more slowly -- my old 1.2 liter boiler Tea's brew head needed about 90 seconds between shots to fully recover; but I do not know how the other E61's in your list fare on continuous shot making.

teekva wrote:Would it start to falter before finishing four 6oz portions and pulling 16 shots?

This is probably just a personal preference, but if I was going to drink 4 shots of espresso and 6oz of milk I would want 4 demitasse cups (or maybe 3 and a cappa cup) and about an hour's worth of time to sit around and chat, which should give any machine plenty of time to rebound

But seriously, when considering a new machine also consider that your preferences in how you drink your espresso might change too. A new machine plus a good grinder and beans and you might be drinking all your espresso straight, and only breaking out the milk jug for when you've got guests over.