Mokko, what machine are you getting? Your m29 is nicly modded, will be sad to see her go.

FotonDrv wrote:Nice!
Trumz, can you explain the difference in taste in cup or ease of use of either machine??

Hei! I've only used the Appia for a couple days but so far so good. Seems to make a great cup easier then the M29. Maybe because of the soft infusion feature, but not sure! I'm using a IMS basket with the Appia while on the M29 i was using the stock 14g baskets and you had to have dose and distribution right!

I love how the M29 is all metal everything whereas the Appia's side and bottom body parts are plastic. After some sound deadning on the inside of the Appia on the plastic side panels, its quieter with less of a hollow sound. M29 feels more solid and didn't have that problem.

Both are dragon HXs requiring big flushes if let idle for, what seems to be, any length of time. But the Appia seems to need a bit less of a flush. Group head on the Cim is heavier! After using the Appia, I miss the space that the 2 group gives. Nice long drip tray and cup warmer on the M29. I've read Rich saying how he doesn't recommend narrow machines and he's right.

Both have 5L boilers but the M29 has a much more powerfull heating element. 3200w vs 1800w. Couldn't run out of steam if you tried. Appia steams great too and the lever actuated steam is nicer to use then the Cimbali's.

One wee thing that the Appia is missing is a water catch underneath the drip tray where the drip tray comes in contact with the back splash. The m29 has this. So if i'm scrubbing the shower screen with a brush and water gets on the machinea back splash, it will drip down past the drip tray... Not a very good design. My machine is a MY2011, maybe they Appia II has this fixed?

Trumz,
I really like my M-29, but it is about to turn into a Slayer. I'm not sure the M29 will leave my possession, I think after I move it will end up on a bar in a basement, the new machine will be in the kitchen.
Speaking of mods on the M29, while the PID just makes dialing in to desired temp a little more convenient, the second mod has some nice impact on the shot. My second mod pulled 24v from the transformer, I disconnects the leads that went to the brew head three way solenoid and ran dedicated switched power to the solenoid. What I found is I could grind a little finer, and pre-infuse at line pressure until it just started to drip from the portafilter, then hit the dose button, let it extract for 25-27 seconds, and turn off the brew and solenoid switch. Taste in the cup improved, and the puck was way less temperamental to bad distribution. I will wire it in a little more permanent one of these days, but am nervous about frying something on the circuit board again.

Thank you Trumz

This setup didn't last too long... Wife walked into the kitchen and straight out while I was standing there with a big smile. Had to get ride of one o them...

I can relate! I have also experienced crossing the line between "a nice set up" (my words) and "too much clutter" (her words). So the stuff in the below pic is in the process of changing.

Something about Red equipment just looks good to me. Recently upgraded my Quamar M80e for the Red K30. The Coffex is a work in progress as I try to figure out a portafilter sealing issue.

trumz wrote:This setup didn't last too long... Wife walked into the kitchen and straight out while I was standing there with a big smile. Had to get ride of one o them...

So, where is she living now? Do you get to visit her?

She sticks around for the cappas

So, here is my downsized combination.

suprolla wrote:Something about Red equipment just looks good to me. Recently upgraded my Quamar M80e for the Red K30. The Coffex is a work in progress as I try to figure out a portafilter sealing issue.
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What portafilter gasket are you using? I found the OEM Olympia to fit better than the OE on the Livietta I rebuilt.