The Alex Duetto II or the Mini Vivaldi II.

Welcome, Greg, to HB . . .

I take it from your post that you have yet to upgrade, as you list a PID'd Silvia as a part of your equipment. Does this mean you are considering getting one of these two machines?

Cheers,
Jason

Sorry I did not reply sooner Jason. I think I must have failed to check some Notification setting here on the forum. At the time I posted, I was down to those two. I then spent a lot of time talking to Chris on the phone about both models, and spent some time prioritizing the factors, etc., blah, blah, blah. In the end, I chose the Duetto, and placed a pre-order with Chris in the batch that is scheduled to arrive this or next week. Not a moment too soon. My Silvia is fading, and it is clear I am due for some sort of repair.

January 09'- Benjamin&Medwin Steam Toy, electric model. Learned how to temp surf and make micro-foam with its three hole steam tip.

February 09'- Delonghi EC-140B. Modified the heck out of, depressurizing the portafilter, thermometer on the boiler(which is TINY), bottomless PF Mod.. Further mod to PF to get a regular 53mm Solis/Saeco Basket to fit.

Beginning of March 09'- First real grinder. Pede 550.

End of March 09' Finally had enough with the Delonghi, and used my tax return(and a $400 winning lotto ticket) for a Quickmill Anita.

Same time as Anita- Mazzer Major.

Mid August 09' Latest purchase, Bunn G2 bulk grinder.

Currently been saving since about April for an Upgrade. I realized shortly after buying Anita that, while she is a great machine, a PID'd DB is what I desire. Started saving without a particular machine in mind, open to all options.. And have now all but 100% decided on a La Marzocco GS/3(im about 98% decided, with some more saving to do) I have also decided to add a Conical Grinder to sit next to the Major, to be added AFTER the GS/3.

This is ALL because of finding this website and CoffeeGeek, and becoming a complete CoffeeGeek myself. All my other hobbies have become obsolete, and Im PERFECTLY fine with that. I think Ill go order some coffee now, and then have myself a hardcore session in front of my machine.

Man, you move up the ladder fast! Taken me longer, but got there in the end

90s ish - Steam toy
93 ish Krups
03 KitchenAid Pro-line (got serious around here)
06 ECM Veneziano
09 Speedster

Only reason I may have moved up quickly, is because of being on HomeBarista and Coffeegeek since the beginning.. After the first two hours with the Benjamin&Medwin, not being able to "get it to work", I found coffeegeek.. A few days later, HomeBarista.

My Upgrade from Silvia and Rocky (sounds like a cartoon duo) was to a Vibiemme Domobar Semiautomatic and a Nuovo Simonelli MDX grinder. The MDX made a huge difference in quality of my espresso brewing as did PID of Silvia. I am learning to use the HX Vibiemme Domobar which is new to me. The "How-to"s" and Tips from this web site are helping but it will take a while to master the Domobar. I still love my Silvia. It is reliable, resellable, with parts that are both available and replaceable. Domobar spring loaded tank shuts off when still half full and sneaks in bitter shots once in a while despite flushing. At this point I am not sure I upgraded at all. Carl

I started in 2003 with a Starbucks Barista thermoblock machine and Capresso infinity.

In 2004 I bought a La Spaziale Vivaldi and MACAP M4.

This year I upgraded the grinder to the MACAP M7KR.

Really, I don't know where I can go from here with equipment, unless I get the OK for the GS3. Not likely.

VERY HAPPY with the equipment.

Jeff

Expobar Brewtus III ! what an awesome machine.

A double boiler machine makes things way easier.

Although I have happily used a Rancilio Silvia and Rocky for over 2 years, visiting this forum daily didn't help prevent catching upgraditis. I had narrowed down my choice to either an Izzo Alex Duetto II or a La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II. Even though both of these machines are great, I couldn't help but think that even if I bought either one, I would still want to purchase a La Marzocco GS/3 (my dream machine) in the future. Once I heard about the current limited price offer on GS/3's, I decided I couldn't pass it up and pulled the trigger. I am glad I did and I don't foresee a need to ever upgrade my espresso machine again. I have owned it for a few weeks and I am still pinching myself.... .