good day folks
I am about to upgrade and need advice
What is your opinion of Breville as a company?
Your thoughts on the bes900xl?
Other recommendations in similar price range?
Thank you for your advice

Check out this review.
http://coffeegeek.com/proreviews/firstl...dualboiler

BIKERBOB wrote:What is your opinion of Breville as a company?

Breville has historically (in the US anyway) had a track record worse than horrible making espresso machines.

BIKERBOB wrote:Your thoughts on the bes900xl?

A lot of good early feedback on the machine once the Over Pressure Valve is set correctly. Many of the US machines have had OPV set way too high out of the box. Breville will send a replacement machine for $250, then credit your card once the original is returned if you get one of these machines. Although the machine is pulling good shots, the OPV coupled with the Breville's history has created a lot of heated argument on this and other sites (including both degenerating and locked threads!) about recommending the machine.

I'm in the wait and see camp.

BIKERBOB wrote:Other recommendations in similar price range?

Really are no dual boiler machines in the price range. There are plenty of good machines to recommend in the price range, but they're heat exchange machines.

jfrescki wrote:Breville will send a replacement machine for $250, then credit your card once the original is returned if you get one of these machines.

While I have about as much marketing savvy as the Yugo company, I would have to think that with all the machines which go back to the factory for readjustment, they have to be sold as used or refurbished, so it won't be long before these are offered at very good prices. Not really clairvoyant because they have flooded the market with refurbished examples of other models previously (a friend bought one before asking me). You may wish to wait and look for one in the near future.

So for the cost of one plus $250 you could own two???

So for the cost of one plus $250 you could own two???

LOL, I hadn't though of that! We need to find someone who's tried/willing to try.

Can't speak for the long term viability of the BDB (nor can anyone else as it's so new) but I've played around with my friend's quite a bit and I love it! VERY simple to use. Extremely well thought out and practical design. Features found only on machines many times its price. Easily the best microfoam ability of any machine I've used. I own a Rocket Giotto Evo and I'm slightly jealous of the BDB's features and ease of use. The build quality of the BDB is big question. It's definitely not the tank-like, all metal build that most of us are used to.

I too have used a friend's and was quite impressed by its features. I would consider one if changing machines, but would always buy one from a reputable dealer with a good return policy, such as William-Sonoma. My friend also used an American Express card which doubled his warranty.

Breville is an excellent company I brought the second latest model the Barista Express with built in Grinder and the bonus mini dump box. It's purely amazing machine, makes noise though but that's the pump working so prepare to amaze your guests with random noises. It's around $800 but I got it when it was on special for just $638 with the bonus match mini dump box, and 1 Kilogram bag of wood fired 100% arabica beans which are around $34 but that was included in the price.


Gabe

Wish to thank those that responded; your thoughts were similar to my own.
So setting the Breville aside; I would like your thoughts on the following machines

First the Expobar office control; like the idea of programmed shots (currently have a Solis sl90 which has this feature) Expobar is $1300 cdn

Second the Quickmill Alexia; Like pid option of temp control and the e61 group. Quickmill is $1400 cdn plus 320 for the pid option (not sure I can justify the added cash)

Is anyone aware if the Expobar can be fitted with a pid, and who could supply the necessary equipment?

Anyhow once again I await your thoughts

I would like your thoughts on the following machines as an upgrade; there are features I like on both

First the Expobar Office Control; like the idea of programmed shots; concerned about temperature stability (currently have a Solis sl90 which has this programmed shots) Expobar is $1300 cdn

Second the Quickmill Alexia; like pid option of temp control and the e61 group. Quickmill is $1400 cdn plus 320 for the pid option unsure if I would like making shots manually (not sure I can justify the added cash)

Is anyone aware if the Expobar can be fitted with a pid, and who could supply the necessary equipment and know how?

Thank you and again I await your thoughts