Hi everybody,

I have been considering a HX espresso machine for about two years. I am very much into roasting and already own a Rocky doserless, which I've been using for about two years. I think I'm close to taking the plunge on a HX machine. I basically need to be able to pull two or three double shots in the mornings, and occasionally (maybe once a week) an additional two. I'd also like to be able to make four or five 10oz lattes or caps if needed when having company.

I have looked and researched (here and elsewhere) all kinds of HX machines, but I can't make up my mind because I have an additional requirement: I don't want a machine that screams "Hey everyone look at me! Can you believe this guy spent 1500 dollars on a coffee machine?" to everyone that comes to my house.

My reasons are complicated, believe me; please don't ask... but basically I find the super tall HX such as the andreja premium and other Quickmills, isomacs etc, so big and imposing that they are sure to draw this kind of unwanted attention. I tend to like the type of machine that is rather square, compact, and easily fits under a kitchen cabinet. Something a non coffeegeek might never guess it cost more than say 500, unless they actually looked it up.

For all these reasons I'm considering an Izzo VIVI. It doesn't look like a behemoth of a machine, but should be quite capable for my needs.

Can anyone vouch for this compact HX or have some other suggestions i might be overlooking?

Thanks in advance!

Olympia Maximatic.
Costs 3000 dollar, and no one will ever suspect it does.

Thanks Dan, that Bezzera BZ02s really looks like what I'm looking for. The question is, 1. can it perform comparably to those stainless steel HX machines, 2. Can it deliver the kind of use I described in my 1st post.

I know for example that with the PVL, I couldn't make that many doubles in a row (or I could, but it would be tedious to say the least), because of the low volume doubles...

If you are looking at the Bezzera BZ02, perhaps also take a look at the newer slightly smaller Bezzera BZ07, which seems to share many of the internals - and it definitely is rather square, compact and would also fit easily under a cabinet. I don't know much about it but it seems to be fairly popular on the German coffee site http://www.kaffee-netz.de/. Good luck.

Bluecold wrote:Olympia Maximatic.
Costs 3000 dollar, and no one will ever suspect it does.

That is one handsome machine!

How about a machine that looks like a Silvia
http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/commercial/simona

...and Vibiemme has just launched a new compact HX
http://www.risteriet.dk/produkter...gle_boiler_HX.html

it's not boxy, but still...

Have a nice weekend
Dang

Salvatore One Black?

http://www.salvatore-espresso.com...ackNewmachine.html

http://www.home-barista.com/espre...f-weeks-t8131.html