I've owned the La Valentina espresso machine by Ala di Vittoria for two years. The notes that I jotted down a few months after purchasing it still hold true today: "I still can't come up with a better way to say it beyond my day-one impression: wow. It's worth saying again: wow."

I started looking for an upgrade because of my frustration with delays when making back-to-back espresso-based milk drinks on my Rancilio Silvia / Rocky combo. With La Valentina, instead of me waiting for the machine, it's always waiting for me. I soon discovered that producing a superior shot with Valentina was also a fraction of the effort that Silvia required. In very little time, I routinely pulled shots that were better than 80% of those I ever managed with Silvia, despite my adherence to a strict routine.

This espresso machine review is for the semi-automatic La Valentina, converted from a pour-over model to direct plumb-in by 1st-line. It has securely mounted brass fittings for the conversion and safety cutoff solenoid. La Valentina connects to our household water supply with a three-foot wrapped braided stainless steel hose. There is little reason to hide the hookup since it looks as serious as the machine to which it's connected.

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They are the same. The models referred to as La Valentina / Levetta in the US are called Junior / Junior Plus overseas. You'll find more information on the BFC website. Grimac Royal Falcon Corp is a US importer based in New York.

Maintenance costs don't amount to much except your time. Descaling ($5 for a lifetime supply of citric acid), espresso cleaner for backflushing ($10 for a few years' supply), group gaskets every couple years ($6). Repairs can add up much faster, e.g., the Sirai pressurestats ($75 plus labor) can fail due to carbon buildup on the contacts after a few years.

That said, I don't believe you ever "break even" in the true sense of the word. The espresso will be so much better than what you've had in the past, you'll drink more coffee and wipe out the cost savings. Upgrades and accessories? Let's not go there...