Suggested espresso equipment reviews

[Woofy]

Thanks for a tremendously enjoyable, educational and generally informative site that's easy to navigate and just plain fun to read through.

I'd love to see a full review on the Nuova Simonelli New Oscar.

No, the plastic case doesn't have the glamour of the stainless steel machines, but the type of case doesn't have an effect on the quality of the coffee and stainless is a pain to clean. From my experience, the New Oscar makes shockingly good shots of espresso far easier and with far better consistency than the Silvia ever could at reasonably close to the same price point. It would be great if you can find the time to take a good look at this superficially underrated and overlooked machine that's a downright steal.

Another interesting machine I'd love to see reviewed is the American-made Astra Gourmet Semi-Auto. Locally, it's a good $700 cheaper than the gorgeous Sixties Electra, while offering a Procon rotary pump, large 4+ liter boiler, E61 group and what looked like pretty impressive internal components that add up to its rather hefty 95 pound weight.

Thanks in advance and warmest regards!

Woofy

[Woofy]

Yet another suggestion for machines to review: Rio/Astoria Junior. ESI, the importers of LaMarzocco import the Rio via CMA. The Astoria Junior is sold through EPNW, one of your site's loyal sponsors, and is a CMA product as well. I got a chance to see one naked and I've not seen a machine built so completely over-the-top solid. With what's touted as a fully submerged HX, its temp stability is supposed to be about the best available in an HX class machine per LM's importer who also imports the Rio.
If you can't do it, that's cool, but if you get a chance, take a peek at a naked Junior. It makes the Cimbali Jr. look almost whimpy in comparison, especially the Rio/Astra Junior's six liter boiler made with what looks like extra-thick boiler plate. A buddy of mine who isn't a coffee fan took one look at the naked Rio Junior and said, "Man, you could drop that down a flight of concrete stairs and the only thing likely to break in the fall is the stairs!"
Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday!

[zin1953]

There have been several different threads/posts -- admittedly some of my own creation -- about the Dalla Valle Mini Professional, a dual-boiler, pourover machine that runs on 110v/15 amps and sells for only $1195!.

Given the popularity of the Expobar Brewtus II, and of the La Spaziale S1 (which, supposedly, was actually a Dalla Valle design), is it time to give this machine a closer look/evaluation?

Jason

[leonardo]

Umberto at Sovrana Trading provided me with some info re the machine the other day. it seems the machine is dual boiler, individually controlled. The steam boiler by pressurestat and the brew boiler by thermostat. The biggest limiter seems to be that you need to adjust temp changes at the thermostat by turning a screw and without a temp. readout. I failed to ask him the size of each boiler, the type of vibe pump, where to get more info and pictures. He did mention that he had received a bunch of calls re the machine.

[HB]

I'd love to see a full review on the...

As you can appreciate reading The Bench and the articles themselves, an enormous amount of time goes into each review. Thus choosing equipment worthy of the investment isn't easy. Some of the factors that go into the selection process are:

1. Is there a review sponsor?
2. Is the equipment supplier one of HB's "premiere sponsors"?
3. Is there sufficient public interest (realized or expected)?
4. What about the proposed review is different than existing HB articles?
5. Are their formal reviews available elsewhere (even if less detailed)?
6. How much consumer information is available? (a proposal with dozens of consumer reviews doesn't benefit from more exposure)
7. Does the proposal meet the interests of the HB membership? (e.g., super-autos need not apply)
8. Has a "guest reviewer" offered to help evaluate the proposed equipment? What are their qualifications / experience to lead such an effort? (not all reviews culminate in an article; Bob Yellin's excellent Bench review of the thermofilter is one example).
9. Does the reviewer have a personal interest in the review ("fun factor")?

Specifically to your suggestions, CoffeeGeek has a 2002 First Look of the Nuova Simonelli Oscar. Nobody has offered to sponsor the Astra Gourmet and none of HB's premiere sponsors carry it. Finally, the public interest in these particular machines to-date has been modest.

Yet another suggestion for machines to review: Rio/Astoria Junior. ESI, the importers of LaMarzocco import the Rio via CMA. The Astoria Junior is sold through EPNW, one of your site's loyal sponsors, and is a CMA product as well.

Looks like a very serious machine (link). The minimum height may be an issue for some (20"). Terry has mentioned the possibility of submitting equipment for reviews, but nothing specific to-date.

Given the popularity of the Expobar Brewtus II, and of the La Spaziale S1 (which, supposedly, was actually a Dalla Valle design), is it time to give [the Dalla Corte Mini Professional] a closer look/evaluation?

I've never talked / exchanged e-mails with Umberto at Sovrana Trading, and most of what I've heard about his offerings involves the Tranquilio grinder. The Mini Professional has done an excellent job of staying off the consumer radar. My searches turned up mostly requests for information, although alt.coffee had a few threads on it. I sure would like to see a few consumer experience reports on it; afterall, it's been around for more than a year.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will add them to the candidate list. At the moment I have the Quick Mill Vetrano, Steve has the Olympia Cremina, Chris is recovering from the La Marzocco GS3, and Abe has the Synesso Cyncra. Not to worry readers, there's no risk of getting bored.

[miKe mcKoffee]

...Chris is recovering from the La Marzocco GS3...

Are you sure it's "recovering from" or is it "hiding the".

[Matthew Brinski]

Dan,

Any chance of you getting your hands on one of these and giving us the word?

Matthew Brinski

[mattwells]

I would like to hear about it as well.

[HB]

Any chance of you getting your hands on one of these and giving us the word?

Funny you should mention conicals. Given Greg Scace's flowing praise for the Mazzer Kony, I've been thinking of them as an upgrade candidate. I'll look into the possibility of adding the Macap/Mazzer conicals to the grinder reviews. It may have to wait until I convince my wife to let me install the espresso bar in the basement...

[k7qz]

I've been interested in hearing more about the MK7R grinder after reading this thread a while back:

Considering an upgrade from the Mazzer Mini E?

Since then I thought it might be interesting to see how the Macap MK7R stacks up against, let's say, the Mazzer Kony- Perhaps throw the Cimbali Max into the ring as well...

Maybe a future topic for "The Bench"? Sort of a "Clash of the Titans".

[HB]

I like the idea! What may be a stumbling block is the ceiling on what consumers are willing to pay for a grinder. Sure, some shell out for grinders costing more than $1000, but not many. That said, the high-end market moves up a little each year, so it's worth keeping in mind. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Ron_L]

With the introduction of the Alex by Chris Coffee, I'd love to see a detailed review!

[puchang]

I'm interested in reading an evaluation of Nuova Simonelli Appia Single Group. Especially I would like to hear more about how it competes with other high-end heat exchangers like Elektra A3 and LaCimbali Junior DT1. Thanks.

puchang

[HB]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been thinking about the Appia too after my positive experience with its bigger sibling, the Nuova Simonelli Aureli. The current price tag of $3375 at Chris' Coffee would make it the second most expensive espresso machine reviewed on HB (La Marzocco GS3 holds top honors).

[jesawdy]

I am also interested in knowing more about the NS Appia.

With Izzo new to the US market, the Alex might be a candidate, but you can find other reviews out there from some European sites.

And Dan, what you waiting on the conicals review for... we all know you need a Kony!

[HB]

And Dan, what you waiting on the conicals review for... we all know you need a Kony!

Tempting it is. Unfortunately, the Kony represents a vertical challenge for our kitchen cabinets. Terry tells me that the Mini hopper fits it (with a different collar) and comes in at 21.75". Still too tall. An upgrade may have to wait for our planned kitchen renovations.

[rjkramek]

Tempting it is. Unfortunately, the Kony represents a vertical challenge for our kitchen cabinets. Terry tells me that the Mini hopper fits it (with a different collar) and comes in at 21.75". Still too tall. An upgrade may have to wait for our planned kitchen renovations.

But the MACAP MKXR isn't too tall. Even if you just reviewed that I think people would find it useful and it could be included in your existing grinder review. I have one and it make a huge difference (though I upgraded from a Virtuoso so that isn't much of a comparison).