Hi everyone,

This is my first post to HB, but I've been reading for a long time.

I was never in to coffee, even in to my young adult years. I tasted the burnt swill that passes as coffee, and decided that I'd never become a coffee drinker, and that was fine with me.

In my early 20's (about 5 years ago) I trekked across the east coast of Australia, where I happened upon an amazing little coffee shop in a tiny tropical coastal town. I fell in love with the town, and hung out long enough at the shop, that the owner offered me room and board for a month in exchange for washing dishes and such at the cafe. It was here I had my first REAL coffee. The owner was very particular. He would adjust the grind very often, give away coffee that was too old, treated his machine better than his own children, and did not let anyone else make coffee. He said that his reputation was on the line, so he made coffee every day.

He would pull shots and show me the differences that a tiny tap on the grinder would make. He'd show me the difference between under-extracted and over extracted shots. I was hooked. I'd never had anything like it before...I never knew coffee could taste so good!

When I returned to the states, I tried to find an espresso HALF as good as the ones I had in Australia. I still haven't found one, however, I don't make it to big cities very often, so my choices are limited.

I vowed when I returned, that I'd one day make coffee as good as him.

Fast forward to now...I have a decent job, a kitchen with space, and I have enough income to finally afford this hobby(lifestyle)!

I've been reading forums for years, and I'm still not sure what machine to get.

I currently have a Baratza Vario grinder, which I use for my french press (and the occasional drip at work) I got the machine, knowing I'd eventually get an espresso machine, and I wouldn't have to upgrade. I am quite convinced that I made the right choice.

Now, it's time for me to get an espresso machine. I need your help with this one. I can afford a nice HX machine in a few months of saving. I'd probably go with the Quickmill Anita.

OR

I can buy a Rancilio Silvia used for around $400, and save the remaining $1000 over the next few months, while learning the basics, then upgrade to a nice HX machine, and sell the Silvia.

I do enjoy cappuccinos occasionally, as does the misses. Also, I'd like to entertain, eventually, with it.

What should I do?


TLDR Summary: Hooked on good espresso, can't find it locally, need a machine. Do I buy a Silvia now and save for a HX machine, or just wait a few months for the HX machine?

Thanks!

Do you ever plan to make milk drinks? Even for guests? If so get an HX. Bezzera BZ07 looks like a great machine from what people say, but I don't have any personal experience. You could also look at one of the entry level E61 HXs.

Since you have the vario, my tip would be to not sacrifice too much on the machine. $500 single boiler machine should make good espresso, but at $1k you should get a lot more convenience for the money. As you mention, espresso will become your lifestyle not just a drink you occasionally have.

In short, save yourself the headache of learning a single boiler machine and go straight to the HX. For now experiment a bit more with coffees and French Press, Turkish and Drip/Vac Pot.

I agree, if you can stand to wait, you'd be much better off with an HX machine. Silvia's nice, but eventually you'll want to upgrade, so you might as well do it right the first time. It sounds like you already know how good espresso can be if done right, and how bad it can be if done wrong, so I don't think you'll be happy with a machine that makes it hard to get consistent results. You'll be much happier with a decent HX like a Bezzera or Quickmill than with a single boiler machine like Silvia.

Get the Silvia, and you learn how to make drinks on the Silvia . . . . when you upgrade, it's a whole new learning curve.

Get a Bezzera BZ07, and don't look back.

Skip the Silvia, go with the Anita or similar machine.

cheezerman wrote:I can buy a Rancilio Silvia used for around $400, and save the remaining $1000 over the next few months, while learning the basics, then upgrade to a nice HX machine, and sell the Silvia.

I agree with the recommendations above to skip the upgrade. However, if you're going to buy used and resell within a short while, Silvia is a top-notch choice since it holds its resale value. However:

HB wrote:I will also disagree with the assertion that time spent on Silvia is well invested. Let's face facts: It's a fussy machine with a mountain of research behind it. But someone starting from scratch on the next level machine (essentially every machine reviewed to-date on this site except Silvia) would have better results in a shorter amount of time with less frustration.

From The problem is on the handle side of the portafilter

So, the main cost is your time (and possible frustration with) mastering this machine's idiosyncrasies versus waiting a bit. Me, I'd get a good grinder, learn more about coffee, and skip the upgrade... though in full disclosure mode, that's not what I did and I doubt anyone would have been able to convince me to do otherwise at that time.

A little more than a year ago I bought a Silvia, got a few good shots out of it, but it really was quite a hassle. Today I "drive" a Vibiemme Junior DB and probably wouldn't want a Silvia even as a backup

But, if you make friends with her it's a really nice machine, the build quality is, in my opinion, exceptional at that price level.

Also agree, skip the Silvia.

The Quickmill Anita was my first machine, aside from a department store special, and it was GA-REAT to start out with proper equipment. You read the forums and about different coffees and techniques, and its so nice to then go to your setup, and be able to try a new technique or coffee, and get proper results.

Id go with either of the HXs suggested. Id probably say the Anita, because I used it for a little less than a year, and really enjoyed my time with her. Plus, the quickmills are quite popular, so you've got a large user base to rely on for questions/help/tips and tricks.


And yes, the Vario is a nice grinder. Ive got one that I use mainly for brewing, but I make espresso with it from time to time, and Im always happy with the results.

Wow! Thank you all for the detailed and well thought out responses! You all gave me a lot to think about.

Now, you're all going to hate me!

I got a phone call from a guy I had emailed MONTHS ago, selling a used Silvia. Well he wanted to meet and let me see it. He was asking $450, which I had pretty much decided was a bit too much, though a decent deal.

I met him and it was a V2 Silvia, in pretty much new condition, and he had a steaming pitcher, bottomless portafilter, blank adapter, and all the retail accessories. I told him I had $350 on me if he'd take it. He said yes, so I'm now the owner of a barely used Silvia!

I wasn't planning on this, but I figured I would be able to sell the thing for at least $400 when I have the money to buy the Anita (or whatever HX I decide on). $350 was too good of a deal to pass up.

So, thanks for the advice, everyone. But I ignored it Sorry!

cheezerman wrote:So, thanks for the advice, everyone. But I ignored it

No problem! In six months, you can share your experience with the next guy asking for upgrade advice and he'll ignore you.