The Alex Duetto II or the Mini Vivaldi II.

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.... .

jsdp wrote: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.... .

I went through similar a similar experience and deliberation, but only had my PID Silvia and Macap M4 stepless for 30 days. The PID avoided the temperature surfing that frustates many new Silvia owners, and I began with a better grinder than the usual Rocky. So, I started with a considerable leg up and was able to get decent pours early on. I built a PF pressure gauge and lowered the brew pressure a little, and was about to install one of Eric's thermocouple adapters to get the real scoop on the group head temperature profile. I was having lots of fun with the science, learning about espresso and forming a relationship with Silvia. I was just beginning to pull some pretty good shots. My microfoam production was more erratic, but I was on the way to understanding the termperature profile of the steam boiler, too.

It turned out I was making more milk drinks than I anticipated (daily straight shots and daily milk drinks instead of just straight shots and an occaisional milk drink.) Even with the PID, I foresaw a little more time for the morning brew ritual than I wanted. So, I was actively investigating the upgrade possibilities by the end of the first month. After reading reams about espresso machines on HB and CG, and getting a sense of the limitations and idiosyncracies of the offerings, and after learning that I had more interest in the coffee than wresting with machines, I knew there was a strong possibility that if I upgraded it wouldn't stop until I got a first-rate DB. I had been wowed by the design, performance and build quality of the GS/3, so when it went on deep sale, I figured there may never be another opportunity to get one at a great price, and it would be cheaper to pull the trigger now rather than buying and selling a bunch of intermediate machines over a period of years. After a little over a week with the GS/3, I'm glad I skipped everything in between (but, of course, I'm not quite out of the upgraditis vortex because there's that little matter of the grinder ). By no means is the GS/3 a solution for everyone, or even a few, but it was the right one for me.

This thread is quite helpful. Although I'm looking at a low-end lever due to my fiance's request, I also have been looking at higher- (much higher?) end machines. Sadly the really deep discount on the GS/3 is no longer, although it is still discounted quite a bit from the MSRP (If anyone knows different, please let me know).

I'm still considering this for my real entry into great espressos and cappas, along with a lever for occasional single espresso shots. I talked at length with one of the recommended GS/3 vendors, and he was very helpful. While one of these would be a little easier to swallow at $4,300 then at $5k, I can't discount it as a way of avoiding a long trail of upgrades I might otherwise find myself on.

While temperature surfing, etc. doesn't seem like a big deal to me, I know my fiance would like a little less hassle. With a machine like the GS/3, I could play around with finding the sweet spot for a given bean, adjust the settings, then she could obtain the same results without having to fuss (or play, depending on your point of view).

I went from a PID'd Silvia to a used Reneka Techno V1 which I picked up for $1,200. The machine performed quite well...for all of 6 months.

Why repair when one can replace?

I am eagerly awaiting its replacement now: the GS/3. I considered waiting till the end of the month for the paddle model availability in the US, but the deal Chris offered me was too good to pass up. I should be back in business by next Tuesday if all goes to plan.

It was funny. I agonized over the GS/3 while waiting for my Duetto. I was of course blissfully unaware of the deals on the GS/3 until after I had placed the order. I can still see myself eventually going down that path, perhaps after a kitchen remodel, but am right now quite happy with the Duetto. I am drinking far better espresso than I was ever able to achieve with my Silvia, and better than I can reliably find locally.

Why repair when one can replace?

Indeed.

Pale Rider wrote:It was funny. I agonized over the GS/3 while waiting for my Duetto. I was of course blissfully unaware of the deals on the GS/3 until after I had placed the order. I can still see myself eventually going down that path, perhaps after a kitchen remodel, but am right now quite happy with the Duetto. I am drinking far better espresso than I was ever able to achieve with my Silvia, and better than I can reliably find locally.

Some timing. Glad to hear that you are happy with the results from your new Duetto!

As a proud bachelor, my kitchen is fairly useless to me outside of espresso preparation. The oven functions poorly as a desk. And, it's not nearly large enough to accommodate a Speedster.