La Spaziale S1 vs. La Cimbali Junior - Page 2

[wookie]

FWIW, I recommend you lean towards the Cimbali. I don't think that the Spaziale is a bad choice, but you can hardly find a better built or designed machine than the Cimbali. It has no problem making a tray of cappuccino's or latte's when you have a dinner party. The internal HX is huge, which gives great temperature stability & good steaming power. The overall machine is very compact, it is a pleasure to use & with modest care could outlive you. Have a look at the HB reviews of both machines (if you haven't found them already) & if at all possible, demo both in person before buying.

[mteahan]

Buy the Cimbali. It will live longer than you and NEVER be the reason your coffee sucks. Don't get a crappy grinder, whatever you do.

[mteahan]

Oh, and you don't have to buy it new. Prowl on ebay--a used M32 went yesterday for $1500 and was really trick. Worn, but trick. The older m29's were simple and cleaned up like new.

If you are going new, try NOT to mail order the thing.

[mls64]

Oh, and you don't have to buy it new. Prowl on ebay--a used M32 went yesterday for $1500 and was really trick. Worn, but trick. The older m29's were simple and cleaned up like new.

If you are going new, try NOT to mail order the thing.

A used M32 went a few days ago for just over $1k. I was at a restaurant last night that had an M32. Nice doppio for a restaurant bar, I was surprised. But the machine is massive - quite taller that I expected from photos. The Cimbali Jr grinders that they had were tall as well. I doubt that the M32 would fit under most residential kitchen cabinets.

[Ken Fox]

A used M32 went a few days ago for just over $1k. I was at a restaurant last night that had an M32. Nice doppio for a restaurant bar, I was surprised. But the machine is massive - quite taller that I expected from photos. The Cimbali Jr grinders that they had were tall as well. I doubt that the M32 would fit under most residential kitchen cabinets.

The Bistro Series machines, such as the M32, are much larger than the Junior. Certainly, a used Bistro series single group machine might be a better value than a new Junior, but the Junior is more appropriately sized for the residential kitchen.

I think Michael Teahan just stated what I tried to state, but better, in his post. Reading through posts on this board, on CG, or on alt.coffee, one can get the erroneous impression that your machine will make the drinks for you. In reality, you will make the drinks, with the assistance of the machine. There are things a machine can do and things it can't do. Beyond a certain level of machine, the difference in drink quality due to the machine is dwarfed by your own technique and barista skills. The beauty of the Cimbalis is that they will make drinks as good as anything else out there, and with a modicum of care, they are very dependable and should live as long as you do with very little down time.

ken

[mls64]

The beauty of the Cimbalis is that they will make drinks as good as anything else out there, and with a modicum of care, they are very dependable and should live as long as you do with very little down time.

ken

I was pleasantly surprised when the bartender at this restaurant could pull a good espresso (just happened to be an M32 machine). This is so rare in a restaurant these days.

[mteahan]

There is a sweet M30 in New York that looks brand new for 799 (so far).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7568414130

If I didn't have a bajillion machines already, I'd buy it.

[wookie]

The M30 looks nice. A fair number of Cimbali Junior's (M21) pass through Ebay too. I bought a three year old Junior for less than $600 this summer and saw a brand new one sell for under $1500. If you're not in a hurry & can watch for a few months, you may find a good deal. If you want to buy now, then a local dealer or reputable mail-order dealer (e.g. Chris Coffee is wonderful to deal with) can ship you one now.

[wookie]

More background on this particular M30 in this thread.