michael wrote:whats the size of the gicleur that comes in the gs3 these days, is that what you have in your machine or something smaller

Mine is a Shot Brewer not GS3, and it came with the Strada MP spec .6mm ruby (This one wasn't a mod)

I found this doc a while back, but it doesn't address the gs3. Still some good info and part numbers for both ruby and brass versions:
http://www.lamarzoccousa.com/wp-content ... Guide.docx

michael wrote:super helpful explanation, so when you move the slayer paddle past the preinfusion position (where the flow rate is fixed by the needle valve adjustment) aren't all the other adjustments manual as well

it seems in principle that if you correctly layout your start points, you can get to the same place as you might with the slayer or the strada mp

If I understood you correctly, Nothing manual on the slayer other than adjusting that needle valve. The paddle on the slayer controls solenoids and has 3 positions. Off/Preinfusion path/Full flowrate path.

The slayer is a 2-stepped flowrate system and the MP is stepless without any graduations or repeatability other than your own feel (The group gauge does not help here).

If you have confidence in your own ability to repeat a paddle movement, you can achieve slayer-style shots with either MP valve.
(I don't so I think the slayer design is superior and will finish my slayer-mod one of these days...
Help with yet another flow profiling modification)

Once I get my GS/3 MP with the new conical valve I'll post an update on how sensitive the valve is in practice. Hoping to have it before Xmas. The Linea PB got the conical valve update in early 2016 for the MP model, but I couldn't find any comments on changes in performance / control on the web for that machine.

We will be on pins and needles waiting for your post! I hope Santa La Marzocco gets there on time!

It looks like parts listings and numbers are already in the Linea PB parts manual: (p34-37)
http://www.lamarzoccousa.com/wp-content ... V2.3BW.pdf

It is not in the webstore parts area, but I think one could compare the GS3 and Linea PB manuals and come up with a parts list to make their own kit.

jgirl125 wrote:Once I get my GS/3 MP with the new conical valve I'll post an update on how sensitive the valve is in practice. Hoping to have it before Xmas. The Linea PB got the conical valve update in early 2016 for the MP model, but I couldn't find any comments on changes in performance / control on the web for that machine.

I would be surprised if more than a handful of those machines are even in the wild. I don't think the paddle Linea's were ever very popular ... I've never seen one, anyways!

gr2020 wrote:So does this mean you could do a "slayer-style" shot by just manipulating the paddle on the front from lower to higher pressure, and then back again, during a shot?

In my opinion, no. You can reach 9 bar while maintaining ultra low flow in the Slayer. This is not possible with the GS3/Strada MP.

This sounds very exciting. The full potential to manipulate pressure and use a reservoir fits my needs. I anticipate Slayer will follow soon enough. Somehow I never realized that Slayer didn't have that ability: Thanks Shawndo for making that point. Now the big decision is how will the new DE1+ compare with this.

Viernes wrote:In my opinion, no. You can reach 9 bar while maintaining ultra low flow in the Slayer. This is not possible with the GS3/Strada MP.

I'm certainly no Slayer expert, but I don't think this is true.

As I understand it, Slayer can limit the flow rate during the pre-brew portion of the extraction; however, when the pressure comes up, they go up to 9 bar for the extraction phase.

You can't control both flow rate and pressure at the same time - you have to pick one, and the other one is a result of the first, and what's happening with the puck.

Slayer has a different philosophy. That manipulating the flowrate during preinfusion has much more value than the ability to manipulate pressure during a shot. I don't see them adopting anything from this MP design. Its going in a different direction.

I'm also not really a fan of the MP design (despite owning one of these groups). I much prefer repeatable electronic control.

PS I'm not 100% sure that I'm being understood (or explaining, what I think I know, correctly) so definitely don't make any buying decisioned based on my words!