I have been lurking in here for almost 2 months now. I have convinced Williams Sonoma to sell me the Elektra T1 for $3300. and have 90 day return policy. the question to be ask.
Should I get it? I am coming off a $200 Krup that crap on me.. I am going to get a new grinder also. Most likely the Baratza Vario.
I first was looking at machine that was in the $1400 - $1800 . Then I thought I made up my mind at the
La Spaziale VII. AT $2100. but now at over $3000 is it worth it. I know that everywhere else sell this T1 for over $4500. beside "jim Duke" Am I telling my self that I am getting it a at great price and if I need to move it I won't lose much money on it... since I see other selling used on for around $3000. or is it just a overkill for me.. and go back to getting a $2000 machine.
I know I am a sucker for the best stuff. like my car. I will spend over $100k for car and over $15k for watches. but a $3000 plus ESPRESSO machine I don't know. just a newbie in espresso. Will it justify me?

And here is the funniest part. I will only use this 6-8 times a week. unless I have dinner party at my place..

The price you pay for your machine will depend on what you want and what you can afford.

If you can afford the machine - it's a beautiful and great machine that I'm sure several HB members can attest to and at the price your quoting new it seems like a steal when comparing it to other sites I've looked at.

There are people that have spent upwards of 5-7k on GS3's and similar machines just for home use. Affordability is dependent on you WANT to pay for the machine, but there are other more meaningful questions to ask. Reading that will help answer some questions. Espresso Machines 101

It's about what machine will cater to your needs/wants, not the price. That's the ideal way to go about buying an espresso machine... however, WANTING something even if it's overkill and way more than you need is more fun than just getting something you NEED.

You could opt to spend less on a machine and get a la spaz and look into higher quality grind options for grinders. Not to knock the Vario, but if you're willing to spend 15k on a watch, I'd say go with a Nino or a Robur....might as well pimp out your espresso rig.

The Elektra sure will look great!

Also, PS using the machine once a day isn't casual usage... and I'll bet that if you do get that machine or WHEN you get any of the machines you've been considering... your usage will increase on a non-linear scale very quickly!

I spent approx. that much a year ago, before the latest price hike, and I haven't regretted it for a single moment!

my other choice is going more $$ more on grinder is k30 WBC or versalab.

Hi!

ginster6 wrote:Should I get it? I am coming off a $200 Krup that crap on me.. I am going to get a new grinder also. Most likely the Baratza Vario (I think I spell it right).

When I got Vivaldi (and it was first Vivaldi II in Europe ) I was saying good bye to a Saeco similar to your Krups. And it was a financial effort for me. And I could have thought of a better grinder and made it a bit bigger effort but I didn't. At least I have something else then coffee to live for (the moment I get the better grinder, that is LOL)

Spitz.me wrote: go with a Nino or a Robur....might as well pimp out your espresso rig.(...)
using the machine once a day isn't casual usage (...)
your usage will increase on a non-linear scale very quickly!

+1 all three

I think this might be the wrong forum if you were hoping to find people to dissuade you from spending a disproportionate amount on a coffee machine ...

ginster6 wrote: but a $3000 plus ESPRESSO machine I don't know

Hmmm... I've spent somewhat more than that, probably around what you've spent on watches, and I don't regret it for a minute. Mind you, I don't own a car, or a house. You only have to justify it to yourself (and perhaps whom else you share a chequebook with). I can in no logical way justify my purchases, other than I wanted them and continue to thoroughly enjoy them.

I had a friend that scoffed at buying a 3k machine which his wife wanted (ex barista wife). He finally caved in when he knew I had spent a similar seemingly extravagant amount. Now I know for a fact he would struggle without it! Come to think of it, now pretty much all of my friends have machines in that class, and I have to roast for them all...

If you like the Elektra T1 (which I think is very beautiful machine, but have never had the pleasure of using) then you should buy it. I would recommend matching it with the Elektra Nino, which I own and can fully recommend.

Cheers, Chris

Do it. If you plumb it, you will not regret it. The boiler is also insane.

DO IT

I had a Hamilton beach POS. Then I got a SuperAuto and I decided to return it. Then I was thinking small - Rancilio Silvia, then I thought more into the HX Expobars and Rockets and Quickmills. Then I said the hell with it, I want something plumbed that has a lot of steam power and got the A3. Paid around your price and I'm a friggin student...

Do I regret it, no.

Make sure you get a proper grinder first though ---

yes its worth it if you are into coffee !

I really enjoy a nice drink in the morning and sometimes in the evening

I have a Elektra A3 also a pasquini livia about a $1700-$1800 machine and before those a Estro Profi about a $400 machine and before that a krups
my krups was bout 20 years ago or more though

my thought on the difference of a $1700 machine and a $3000-$4000 machine

consistency and reliability and service
start with service parts are easy to get if you need to and most know the machines so easy to work on if you need to ! look at some of the rebuild threads completely rebuilding their machines
reliability ! I think most machines are quite good but goes back to parts its easy to get so with my machine running 24/7 for 1.5 years now (my Elektra) only a few small simple things and the yearly new gasket and screen

consistency ! I think I found that I can get shots daily that were better than my best shots on the pasquini so pulling a good shot is super easy once you nail the procedure and likings of your machine down !!!

and then the taste going back to consistency I very rarely pull one I throw down the drain and usually only when dialing in a new coffee
going from a krups to my estro was like WOW going from my estro to my pasquini was amazing with milk frothing so much better and shots that would be hands down better and the quest for the perfect rich flavor I wanted on the every other shot I got it dialed in after a year or so and then looked back at my estro and thought MAN things cant get better !!! (boy was I wrong)
then to the elektra !!!!! AMAZING I was pulling the shots that were normal to the elektra yet were better than my best shots out of the pasquini and once I had it dialed in my worst shots were like good pasquini shots

but also over the years with my pasquini I felt I got a better tongue to what I liked and learned more so my experience was better
if you can skip all the steps and just get a machine ? well that is something you have to answer

I feel going up the scale I learned a lot about machines and my likes and dislikes but also feel why be drinking sub par shots when you dont have to be and could just start out with it !

also get a good grinder and then of course FRESH coffee

I would rather have a shot with a $400 machine and GREAT coffee than a $4000 machine and sub par coffee !

but give me the $4000 machine and GREAT coffee and sit on the couch and enjoy