Primary use is espresso, secondary could be latte with such a nice steamer.

The Silvano has all the features I want: PID, adjustable OPV, pressure gauge, good sized boiler.

Advice?

I have been looking at the same machines you are for the last few weeks and just ordered a Expobar Pulser. I seriously just ordered it so I don't have any answers for you. I chose it over the oscar because the oscar dosn't have a hot water spout. So its more difficult to descale which would drive me crazy because I'm a clean freak! The boiler water would just hang around for a really long time and get nasty. I liked the silvano but I could not knowingly buy a machine (on pre order no less so there is a wait) that cost $200 less 2 months ago! I just was not going to do that. Plus if you like that you can pre order the Le'Lit machine for much less and its the same kind of a machine. PID, single boiler, thermoblock steamer. Just wanted to share my thoughts, take them for what their worth which isn't much.

Not sure which Lelit you are referring to. I'm not aware of one that has those features. I was looking at the PL41TEM, but it does not have an adjustable OPV.

I really like my Silvano after owning it for a short time. I did get the $795 one from Chris's coffee and did open it to see the inside. I did reroute some of the hoses but other than that all drinks are espresso without much steaming. I have tried to do some steaming for hot chocolate and it brings milk up to froth very fast. The PID is very accurate but there is a little learning curve due to the small boiler, but recovery is minimal. I have read the boiler and steamer wattage is different on newer models so if steaming was an issue than the bigger wattage should help.

What if any would be the advantage of the Oscar over the Silvano?

Steaming performance?

I've never used Silvano neither any machine with a thermoblock steamer, so I can't compare. But Oscar indeed is a powerful steamer and one should even change the tip to a 2-hole to froth smaller amounts of milk...

Anyway, Oscar has a problem of rising temperature during the shot, I've fixed that installing the same flow restrictors they are using at Musica, 3.2mm inside the upper inlet and 3mm inside the bottom inlet. Something that could be asked to the seller...

Márcio.

That's good info about the Oscar. Thanks Márcio. All things considered I think I'm going to get the Silvano.

innermusic wrote:What if any would be the advantage of the Oscar over the Silvano?

Oscar is a HX machine.
Silvano appears to be a Single Boiler thermoblock machine similar to the Rancilio Silvia.

The Silvia is a single boiler, not a thermoblock.
Silvia can't pull a shot and steam at the same time, the Silvano can.
Silvia doesnt have a PID, silvano does.

The only reservation I would have about the Silvano is that it hasn't been around for long, and there are only a few out there, so long term reliability is now unknown.

BTW, Ascaso makes the Duo, which also has a thermoblock steamer, but doesn't have the PID, for $800.

Randy

there is also the gaggia baby twin