I wouldn't dare to imply that the Giotto (or the Cellini, which I think is the same except for the side panels) is a bad machine! it is just that the OP made an inquiry about the Technika, which seems to be even better .

Spironski wrote:Uhm, let's be clear: ECM/Rocket (Giotto, Cellini) is not the one you're after. It's ECM Manufacture (Mechanika, Technika). They are completely different factories now. I did not see Burgess list these, nor do I know if 1st-line can import them.

Well, I emailed ECM in Heidelberg and asked where to get the TechnikaIII in the US.

They told me that Burgess is their importer ...

Christian

Okay, I am sure they know who their importer is . It's just that I could not find the Technika etc. on the site of Burgess. Maybe they are working on it...

This is an interesting thread, and the ECM Technika 3 (and Mechanika & Replika) look like very nice machines. I was checking out the technical diagram:
http://www.bfc-espresso.de/pdf/ecm-machanika3.pdf
It seemed kind of familiar. I had been also looking recently at the diagram for the Bezzera Galatea Domus:
http://www.bezzera.it/pdf/GALATEA_DOMUS_GB.pdf
Anyone else think these machines look pretty similar on the inside? (other than pressurestat: XP700 vs XP100)
Derek

im still confused as to how different they really are.

the rocket website has similar claims on their version of the giotto/cellini -> a stable 92C extraction temp. i know there are differences in boiler size, etc. no clue how they claim this. I even emailed them and this was the response:

Our Thermo Siphon system lay out and the fact that our boiler has a thick, lead free brass end plate means our machines have good stability of temperature.

Sure if you draw an amount of hot water off from the boiler you may compromise the ability of the heat exchanger to maintain a perfect extraction temperature, but this also applies to a commercial espresso machine.

Sort of vague to me. no way my beast is producing immediate and constant 92C output. If, at the end of the day, the machines (at least rocket and ecm italy) are still using the same design theory, how is the magic number being hit?

Is ecm germany doing something different? i havent seen mention of it.

Here is some info that may get you what you need...
Burgess Enterprises are importing the Germany made ECM... Basically the Technika is the Giotto Premium but as you wrote, I think they are made better.
ECM Germany is the company that got ECM Italy to make the Giotto. When ECM Italy got into financial trouble, ECM Germany began to make there own product, enhancing the machine with better, longer lasting components, larger steam boiler for more steam and higher wattage for more stable brew temperature which also enhances the steam power.

I my self had trouble to get quote and pricing from the following company who imports the German ECMs and whose owner I was in touch with but he never came back to me with pricing. All I know is that it is much more expensive then buying the ECM Giotto (especially now with the Dollar to Euro ratio).

Try contact Robert yourself, maybe you will get lucky:
http://www.burgessenterprises.net/
or
http://www.seattlebaristaacademy.com
Robert S. Burgess
President/CEO
Burgess Enterprises Inc.
Seattle Barista Academy LLC
1000 SW 34th Street, SUITE A
Renton, WA. 98057
Phone: 206-763-0255 ext 203
Fax: 206-763-8039

Gedit

I was writing the post before I saw some of the most recent replies, but will post anyway to tell what I know so far.
This is sort of getting weird, I emailed ECM Manufacture twice and did not get a response. Finally did but only after someone saw my post and contacted ECM on my behalf. The ECM Mfg company emailed me and informed me that Burgess in Seattle was the distributor of the machine. The owner of Burgess wass cc'd in that email. Therefore, I replied back to Mr.Burgess and asked if he did indeed sell ECM Manufacture machines from Heidelberg. Keep in mind like the poster here stated, Burgess does not list the German Heidelberg machines on their website but only Italian Giotta machines. I never got a reply back from Mr. Burgess. This whole thing is very strange, first ECM split and both companies kept the brand name, then not to get replies from for weeks, maybe months and then when I get a reply I am referred to a distributor that doesn't have the machines listed on their website. I swear this whole thing has become a soap opera and I am afraid I am getting ready to give up on this machine that I fell in love with. I've also been hearing there is something illegal or not quite right with who has the rights to sell under the brand. If anyone can come along and show me how to buy this Technika III machine I'll do it today, otherwise can someone recommend a machine for the $2000 range that is built like a tank, has large boiler capacity, has great quality and most importantly makes awesome espresso and milk drinks, how about Vibiemme Domobar? For example?
Thank you,

That list of requirements matches up well with the Domobar Super. I have not used the ECM so I have no basis for comparison. I have been running a Super for quite a few months with no issues. There are a lot of machines that fit that bill, but not many in your stated price range.

If you really want the German ECM because of the combination of components and design, I think you will find that the Bezzera Galatea Domus is essentially the same beast internally...part number for part number. (see my above post). A German coffee site even asserts that there is a connection between the Heidelberg ECM and Bezzera and its right here (they seem to suggest that export ECM's are made by Bezzera and then they put the ECM logo on it):
http://www.kaffee-netz.de/machinen/147 ... a-iii.html
(no I don't speak German, I used a translator like Google)
However its not exactly the same style as the Technika (more like the Replika).

Dear Home Barista.com I wish to clarify the ECM story as I along with Daniele Berenbruch (son of Friedrich, owner of ECM, of Italy) own the brands of the Giotto and the Cellini espresso machines.
Mid last year, ECM (of Italy) made a decision to concentrate on only their commercial espresso programme, and Rocket Espresso became the owner of the brands of the Giotto and the Cellini. We still continue to manufacture our machines in the same factory.
Our machines at Rocket Espresso have a R&D programme second to none. Our development programme is headed by one of Italy's leading espresso engineers, Ennio Berti, who was with Gaggia for many years in the 1970's prior to becoming lead designer with the Italian company ECM in the 1990's.
One of the most important features of any espresso machine is the efficiency of the thermo syphon system which has been optimized on Giotto and Cellini by Ennio regardless of production cost.
Whilst the German machines are also nicely finished, our machines have won the appraise of critics worldwide.
It should be mentioned that ECM (Italy) used to contract manufacture the German machines, but for various reasons, sometime ago, refused to any longer. We understand that the German company do not manufacture their machines, but use a third party manufacturer. The name of ECM is the registered trading name of ECM (Milano, Italy) which is the only entity authorized to use the ECM name. The German company continues to trade under the ECM name, which we believe has issues of integrity in itself.
I am extremely proud of the work of Ennio and our team at Rocket Espresso and we will continue to deliver innovative ideas and professionally manufactured product to the market.
From both an engineering and coffee roasting background, my passion for a great espresso machine is derived from the quality of the cup that is produced, which after all is what it is all about. Andrew Meo General Manager, Rocket Espresso Limited.