I didn't know what else to call this. I am gaining respect for this machine as time goes on as well as the work that went into creating V3. There were complaints about the temperature control (or at least consistency) in the earlier version and so V3 was a pretty thorough redesign (boilers, heating element(s), layout, etc.). I know Jim did a lot of work with the factory in this regard and I believe Stefano had a hand in it as well.

Going from Silvia (10/2000 - 6/2007), then to a Vibiemme DS (6/2007-7/2011) and now to the dual boiler has really made me appreciate the DD. Silvia, even with PID control, for the light use that my machine gets, the HX model was far superior to Silvia right out of the box, but still a bit of a challenge for temperature control. That may sound somewhat harsh, but quite true in my situation relative to the performance of the DD.

I recently bought a selection of green from a new (to me) supplier. The first batch was tasting just a tiny bit harsh so I lowered the brew temperature PID one degree and it smoothed out the espresso and the flavor really came to life. Watching Eric's group thermometer showed that the upper brew temperature during the extraction was indeed one degree less than I had experienced before the change. Having a PID on a boiler is one thing, but being able to deliver a fairly accurate temperature at the coffee is another. Color me impressed.

On the other side of this is the fact that this thing isn't filled with magic dust and Fairy sprinkles. I received a bag of freshly-roasted espresso whole bean from a specialty roaster in trade for a small job I did. I actually requested it because I wanted to try something different and the opportunity presented itself. I went through a range of grind settings that took the Kony ten "steps" (indicator bumps on the adjustment wheel) below where I had been grinding my coffee. This setting was about 8 steps lower than any I had previously used. I moved it about two steps at a time, and I went from gusher to ristretto, and every pull tasted the same with increasing body and flavor concentration. And not in a good way. The coffee beans were dark and oily, and the flavor was predominantly roaster, lacking in any discernible varietal flavors with a plasticy rubbery aroma. The aroma of the espresso matched the aroma of the whole beans as well.

The plumbed rotary allows preinfusion which is a wonderful function, the water delivery (pressure and dispersion) of the E-61 seems excellent, and having the machine plumbed in as well as out is so addicting that I do not know if I could switch back to filling a reservoir and emptying drip trays again. So in the case of the DD, maybe boring is not the best word to use. Co-dependent, maybe? Comfortable and dependable like a favorite pair of old Levis 501's. Taken for granted like a 40 year marriage. It all works for me.

PS: While I am not an employee of the Vibiemme importer (1st-Line), I did receive remuneration for the writing of the owner's manual. Beyond that, I am under no obligation to 1st-Line nor any other entity in regards to my opinions of this nor any other product.

Very nice writeup, Randy. Thanks for posting this.

I'm having a similar experience with my new Izzo Alex Duetto II. It just makes pulling good shots and steaming milk so easy, it feels like cheating. No more guessing about which temperature you're getting at the puck. If you want to get a bit different flavor out of a particular blend, just bump the temp up or down a degree or two and there you go. So nice after years of guessing where my brew temps were.

Not that my old HX was a bad machine by any stretch of the imagination. Far from it. But it was always a bit of a crapshoot as to what temp I was brewing at, and whether the shots were going to be a bit sour or bitter. Now, once you figure out the best temp for a given bean, you can pulls great shots all day long.

Boring? Perhaps. But I like it.

Beezer wrote:Very nice writeup, Randy. Thanks for posting this.

I'm having a similar experience with my new Izzo Alex Duetto II. It just makes pulling good shots and steaming milk so easy, it feels like cheating. ....

I like it: "Cheat on Silvia with DeeDee."
Thanks for the kind comment as well...

Considering that all machine does is pushes hot water through coffee it is surprising it makes such a big difference

Nice writeup Randy. Its good when one is happy with the upgrade.

Man, I'd love to see a throwdown with this guy and the Duetto next to each other. My thougths are that they are similar, but I wouldn't be surprised if the DD pulls ahead.

That would be interesting in terms of plain performance and what is in the cup. I don't think many people have both sitting on the counter at home..

I like the VBM group a LOT. The internal layout of the Duetto is very nice and appears to be easier to work on (but no experience with the Duetto- just commenting from what I see in photos). But the vertical motor/pump assembly which means if the pump leaks there is an increased chance of motor damage as well. I would also recommend replacing any of the white tie wraps holding electronics in place with the back variety which seem to last quite a bit longer.

The Duetto's elimination of the pressurestat is a nice touch, but I like the VBM's pressure relief hose that vents into the drip tray instead of back to the reservoir... We could go on and on with that, no? I am glad my machine picked me instead of me having to decide!

I suspect there wouldn't be much difference in the cup. But the Duetto does have a few issues with fit and finish (drip tray too tight, cup warming tray too tight, reservoir too tight, drip tray a bit too high) that might not exist on the VBM. Overall, it's a tossup as to which machine any one person might prefer. Either one is capable of making great espresso for many years.

Randy G. wrote:I would also recommend replacing any of the white tie wraps holding electronics in place with the back [sic] variety which seem to last quite a bit longer.

Wasted effort unless you know for certain the replacements are of a better grade or quality.

The black color is often designates U/V, but not heat, stabilized.
There are black U/V and heat stabilized.

Beezer wrote:... But the Duetto does have a few issues with fit and finish (drip tray too tight, cup warming tray too tight, reservoir too tight, drip tray a bit too high) that might not exist on the VBM..

The could also be some improvements on the VBM. I wish the cup tray screwed into place and that they employed some vibration-dampening measures on the inside of the large, flat surfaces of the case. A stamped drip tray cover instead of the screen would also be nice.

But I guess for coffee making machines that sell for around $2000-2700 maybe we are just being picky.

I can't help but going back to the analogy of the older Fiats... "Nice drivetrain, good handling.. OH CRAP! We forgot to make a body! Quick.. Someone find some doors!"

I agree that it would be nicer with improved vibration damping. It's not loud at all but if it were even quieter that would be nice. Has anybody tried to add some more insulation or dampening to make it quieter? I have been wanting to do it but wasn't sure about any possible overheating damage. Some of the metal to metal contacts could be made quieter with some heat resistant rubber?

Very nice write up and I am enjoying my "boring" machine too