So I am still really set on the Vibiemme Domobar but I have been going back on for on the Jr and Super.

The super has a factory installed PID which looks much nicer and is probably more reliable/built better. The Super has some better internal components, but is in many ways very similar to the JR. The smaller footprint of the JR is a plus.

Here's my main tiff, Im going for a double boiler with pid for brew temp accuracy, amongst other things. The Junior's boiler does not have auto-refill and the after-market pid operates in .5 C/ 1 F increments. In conjunction I'm led to believe the JR will produce more consistent brew temps through the group head. (I am concerned how water sensitive the PID faceplate and internals are, I know some have ruined them by getting them wet). However, the Super has a larger boiler to combat temp fluctuations while pulling a shot, and you get a much more attractive PID. However, the pid on the Super is 1 C/ 2 F increments. As stated the Super has a few better internal parts.

I really don't NEED the larger boilers found in the super for producing drinks; I just dont predict needing the extra horsepower for my home use and do not need it at the current time. The cost of the Junior is less but almost negligible especially if I wait to find a Super discounted.

I am probably splitting hairs but I want to weigh my options carefully being I will most like own this machine for many years. I also dont know what extent the temperature fluctuations are on the super when pulling a shot, maybe someone with the machine knows... Ian

Any advice or observations would be greatly appreciated. What do you think?

The PID on the Super DB is 1°F/C and has been for several years.
The original release had a 1°C ~2°F steps
°C....°F
100 212
101 214
102 216
103 217
104 219
105 221
106 223
107 225
108 226
109 228
110 230

If you can predict accurately what the future holds. other than death and MORE TAXES, PLEASE call ASAP.
Seriously, if you have the space and the brass, go for the larger machine.
You can't under tax the bigger machine, but you can over tax the smaller.

Thanks Ian, just one more question. Does the super PID go lower than 212 F (probably a silly question but I know the VII is limited), and what about temperature fluctuations for the super (compared to the JR)...okay I guess that was two questions

La temperature è impostabile da un minimo di 80° a un massimo di 130°C
You do the math

You're probably never going to want to use below 212°F as there is about a 20°-25°F drop between boiler temp and brew temp.

Can't comment on the JR as never used one. When used within it's designed limitations, I'd bet the JR is one sweet machine. The first time you run up against the JR's limit, you're gonna wish you'd got the Super. You have tolerable equipment now. If the Super is a stretch, save for a couple of months.

ANY machine is going to have a fall over point. I keep the Super HX at home because I can steam milk twice as fast as with the DB and the machine never runs out of power. Great for dinner parties.

There's never a free lunch

Caleb, personally, I think it's worth repeating that:

1. a good many people here have a Vibiemme Domobar Super, yet very few if any have the Junior; that would, at the very least, give me pause to think;
2. "You can't under tax the bigger machine, but you can over tax the smaller"; and,
3. "I keep the (Vibiemme Domobar) Super HX at home because I can steam milk twice as fast as with the (Vibiemme Domobar) DB and the machine never runs out of power.

Cheers,
Jason

c1raider wrote:I do not want a doser and something that is clean that takes little real-estate is best. Any grinders come to mind that fit the general design Im after?

I like the price of the Le'lit PL53

You are describing the Baratza Vario. I have both it and the Le'lit. The Vario is the far better grinder both in the grind itself and ease of control. Also the Le'lit is very noisy.

I wanted to let everyone know what I did since I took their time posting my question. I ran across an good deal on a Silvia v2 (rebuild project) with a rocky grinder. I also got a REALLY nice tamper with it . Well I knew I didn't want the rocky so I sold that and bought a Vario from Baratza. Thanks to all those you said, "Grinder, Grinder, Grinder". I am still watching for a great deal on a DB, but for now I only make espresso for myself so the real demand for a better machine was just not strong enough to justify the costs. But, since I went from buying a $1500 machine to a Silvia rebuild I thought I would IMMEDIATELY buy a PID to try and combat the biggest complaint I get from Silvia owners: surfing. I've added the v3 steam wand, a piece on my steam valve broke, and performed the Silvia pressure mod. I'm at 9 bars almost exactly. I'm very happy with it so far, and it's a huge upgrade from what I had.

Thanks again!

haha, sounds like my story!

I too was considering similar machines, until I found a great deal on a V2 Silvia. Now I'm learning the basics on a Silvia and a Vario.

I'm sick of temp surfing, though...

That being said, I'm still getting shots better than 99% of what I have had at Cafes.

I'll be upgrading to the Quick Mill Anita with Eric's Thermometer as soon as I've saved the money (a month or 2).

Have fun!