Okay I got mine who else did too.

I got mine yesterday too. I had the problem with the brew switch being too close to the rocker arm, but it was easily fixed by following the advice in this thread: New Alex Duetto II Pump/Fill/Brew Pressure Issues

It's warming up now and I'm about to go pull my first shot.

Well I got mine and the fit and finish regarding the cup warming tray and the outer shell is much better. It's definitely not perfect but at least it doesn't scrape when I remove the tray. I also have the new water tank with the magnetic float switch and the lid with the upgraded parts. Much easier to fill the tank however it is a VERY tight fit. I had to loosen screws on the top tray to even get the tank in before I used it since I had to wash it.

So far I'm happy with the machine, although I need to adjust the microswitch and when I lock my portafilter in it activates the pump for a microsecond.

Some things I would love to see:

I would love it if the machine had a more precision fit to it. I would have been fine with a square machine instead of rounded sides if that meant that the warming tray fit perfectly. Also, I would have liked it if the Izzo logo was metal and not a plastic decal on the front. Also for the steam/hot water handles, if the machine had etched the direction instead of a sticker. One of my stickers is half falling off thus I'll just remove them both in due time. I could use about a 1/2" to 3/4" of clearance between the drip tray and the group so I could pull directly into my big mug which I could on the Isomac Tea but now have resorted back to an espresso cup or shot glasses. Also, I would have liked it if the drip tray top stayed in place when pulling out the drip tray without me having to hold the top.

I think it's a great machine for the money, I still say for $2400 the build quality could have been better externally however if the insides are robust then I'm okay with it.

One thing to note, Chris Coffee did a decent job with the whole 3-4 month ordeal. They did send me a new shell in the beginning. They did take back my machine, and they did send me a new machine. They took care of me however it was not above and beyond like I had hoped.

However with this lesson learned is that I did pay $180 to ship the machine and shell back. I had to constantly stay on top of them to find out status of the machines and when I would get one. So in the end this machine cost me an additional $180 which I wasn't expecting nor did CC offer to pay for the shipping back to them. I'm okay with the machine, and okay with the service, however I'm not glowing on either front. Maybe I'm being too harsh.

I would agree that it would be a better design if the top of the drip tray would stay put, and we could slide the drain portion out. It would make clean up a bit simpler. But as for the decals, they came off the second I set up the machine. I never assumed that they would intentionally be a permenant part of the machine. I hate decals in genral, and pull every sticker and badge off of everything I own.

They should also have re-designed the way the cup warming lid sits on top of the unit. I posted in another thread that they completely failed on the design of the black rubber bumpers that keep the vibration noise and metal to metal contact down. I can't see how it would cost a great deal more to just design a small rubber foot that is inserted permanently into each of those four spots, that would eliminate me having to go and find the right glue to glue them in place.

All in all, I look over the last 3 threads on this unit, and I don't think we are asking Izzo to re-invent the wheel or make costly upgrades. For the price the device costs, it should have these features already. My only gripe now is that when I turn on the steam valve, it's never been smooth feeling, it feels like I'm grinding a rough metal surface and the tactile feedback is unpleasant.

I agree it does feel a bit gritty on mine but I attributed it to a spring inside? I can turn my knob quite a bit before steam comes out it's not very progressive. How many rotations before steam comes out of yours?

TomC wrote:I would agree that it would be a better design if the top of the drip tray would stay put, and we could slide the drain portion out.

It does on my early 2009 Duetto.

slowrey wrote:I'm okay with the machine, and okay with the service, however I'm not glowing on either front. Maybe I'm being too harsh.

Over time you'll forget about whatever qualms you have now. The machine will begin to serve you well.

When you make future purchases, you should let CC know that you are out $180 from the whole ordeal.

CrayonShinchan wrote:When you make future purchases, you should let CC know that you are out $180 from the whole ordeal.

Trust me they know, I've mentioned it.

I know nothing about this $180.00 issue but I assure you I will tomorrow.

Very awesome of CCS