Waiting for Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super Dilemma

[Jester]

I've been lurking on HB for quite sometime absorbing all the wonderful information that everybody shares on here. I need a bit of advice from the good folks on here. Two weeks ago I placed an order for a Vibiemme DoubleDomo Super with the expectation that it will be here at the end of May. Today I called the folks at 1st Line to get a status update. It turns out that they are making changes to the machine based on initial problems that were identified in the first batch (which I read about on here). The new deliver time is now mid to late June which is much longer than I anticipated.

With that said I'm trying to decide if it is truly worth the wait, or should I consider alternate machines. Granted I like the double broiler in the Vibiemme, but it's for home use and I'm not really worried about recovery time. What other machines should I consider if I don't go with the Vibiemme, or should I simply wait for it to come out?

Thank you in advance for your input!

[shadowfax]

Houston does seem like a slight wasteland in terms of easily available excellent café coffee. At least, that's the impression I got from my friends that live there. Otherwise I think it would be easy to wait.

Even if getting coffee at a café is out of the question, though, I would wait for the machine if it's what you want. I don't think there is another machine out there that is quite in the DoubleDomo's class and price range that even remotely has its looks. There is the Brewtus II, sort of, but I don't think there is any competition in terms of the build quality. If you like the looks of the DoubleDomo and you are dead set on double boiler, I don't think you're going to get your hands on anything else like that in the price range. One month is nothing in the grand scheme of things; this is not like, say, the La Marzocco GS3 business, or even the Versalab M3 business. It will be here in reasonable time--get the machine you really like.

[z0h]

I don't think there is another machine out there that is quite in the DoubleDomo's class and price range that even remotely has its looks.

I too am in a similar state- out of curiousity, what else is in the doubledomo's class and price range? I suppose looks are in the eye of the beholder, so that's not much of a criteria for me. I would consider:

La Spaziale s1 VII
DoubleDomo
Brewtus II
Izzo double (haven't seen one available yet...)

Are there any others, and what are the pros/cons?

[cannonfodder]

There is not much in the double boiler arena. You listed the most popular machines. I cannot offer much advice on the machine as I have not used it yet. Our bench test machines will not arrive until around the end of the month but they will be retrofitted gen 1 machines with the larger boiler. If the DoubleDomo is what you want, waiting a little longer would be advisable. Enjoy a good press pot for now.

[shadowfax]

Enjoy a good press pot for now.

I failed to notice that the OP has a Mini E and a LP Pub V. Is that so? Then you really have no reason to be impatient other than the upgrade bug. Which, admittedly, is rough--but I get the impression from what I read and from a good friend who has a Domobar Super that they are worth a wait.

I am biased, though. I think the VBMs are some of the prettiest machines out there, certainly the prettiest in its price range. I have always felt that machines like the La Spaz and the Reneka were pretty ugly, and the Brewtus II is nice, but not as impressive. That's my disclosure.

[Jester]

I failed to notice that the OP has a Mini E and a LP Pub V.

That is correct. The La Pavoni is tired and needs a rest.

Thanks to everybody who's responded. I tend to agree that it is worth the wait, so I just need to be patient!

[mgwolf]

Hi Jester, I briefly looked at one at the SCAA show 2 weeks ago and it's a very nice, very well-built machine. Don't think twice about waiting. It's only 6 weeks. Michael

[Randy G.]

I would suggest waiting and reading some reports from the first users/reviewers of the machine to see if the extra cost is worth it to you. I have the VBM Domobar Super HX lever, and I can say that the thing is built like a tank with excellent components. It isn't perfect, but virtually all the parts that matter are of about the highest quality you could expect in this price range. If the DB machine is made as well, and performs as good as the HX with the added convenience and accuracy of the PID for the brew boiler, it will be a winner and worth waiting for.

[Marshall]

With that said I'm trying to decide if it is truly worth the wait, or should I consider alternate machines. Granted I like the double broiler in the Vibiemme, but it's for home use and I'm not really worried about recovery time. What other machines should I consider if I don't go with the Vibiemme, or should I simply wait for it to come out?

I'm also looking at double boilers and am leaning strongly toward the Dalla Corte Mini. It's certainly not as pretty as the VBM and will cost a little more, but appears to be a superior design. Availability is supposed to be "imminent," and the rest of the world has had (more than) two years to work out the bugs (if any).

Previous H-B thread here: http://www.home-barista.com/forums/dalla-corte-now-available-at-espressoparts-com-t5700.html.

[Fore]

I too put an early order in on this machine for what seems like a century ago as my house has been overtaken by a bathroom remodel. But I have been looking forward to the ''end of May" delivery and had been thinking of contacting Jim to see how things are coming along. Been keeping up on the initial problems, and very happy to see Vibiemme acting so quickly to solve these problems. So I too am disappointed to hear about the delay, but given that I'll be getting a better machine in the end, I'm happy to wait it out. I've had a brand new Cimbali Max Hybrid setting on the counter still unused and waiting for the DoubleDomo lol

Been actually enjoying a new Baratza Virtuoso grinder for my coffee...a huge stepup from my blade grinder I'd been using for yrs. It's a great grinder for my Barista coffee maker and french press. So I can be patient when I need too.
Chris

[annp]

I had more than an idle interest in the Dalla Corte as well.

A few things stood out for me - these are all kind of subjective and I am sure do not affect overall function at all. I'd read about the Dalla Corte at some point in my double boiler search and while it was not available at that moment, I figured it would be eventually.

No PID readout - I like that particular quantification.

No lever or levetta or anything shiny to operate when *I* think the shot is done. I am sure you can cut the shot via a button on the Dalla Corte, but I like the lever...

53mm. Ok, I know that 53mm isn't limiting. Lots of people make far better shots than I with 53mm. Still, I'd wonder can I make triples with a 53mm and wouldn't that make for a really deep basket that might require different tamping skills? Yes, yes, they are learnable - I know...

And I know this might be really silly to some people, but aethestically, I find the plastic really fugly. Not as fugly as other machines out there - at least there is some shiny chrome on the Dalla Corte, but I like the way the E61 looks.

My two biggest GS3 regrets (before it started costing more than a good used Honda, or the down payment on my condo) was the button instead of lever and the lack of shiny chrome and stainless for me to Windex.

Ann

[stefano65]

I like to point out one thing for the record. The first batch of Vibiemme double boiler did NOT have a problem, the steam boiler was just a little smaller then expected for some high demand steaming performance so we all decided to approach this issue NOW rather then wait later so we make everybody happy.

HOWEVER I had customer used to other "similar" machines and said that even with the small boiler the steam was still superior to others.
thanks
S

[Sebastiaan007]

The Izzo Alex Duetto will be out in a month or so.
The first test machine is already on the bench.

The steam boiler size of the Alex Duetto is 1.8 Liters and the brew boiler is 0.8 Liter.
Also a very very good alternative for the VBM dual boiler because of the flip switch for water mains or container.
And a rotary pump and a low price without losing any quality.
The wiring of the Izzo machines are to be one of the best there are.

[Marshall]

I had more than an idle interest in the Dalla Corte as well.

A few things stood out for me - these are all kind of subjective and I am sure do not affect overall function at all. I'd read about the Dalla Corte at some point in my double boiler search and while it was not available at that moment, I figured it would be eventually.

No PID readout - I like that particular quantification.

[EDITED] Agreed (partly). The feedback would be nice to monitor the progress of the initial warmup. However, I have that feedback now with my PID'd Zaffiro with a sensor in the boiler water. After taking Scace readings in the portafilter, I realized the readout is nearly meaningless, except for initially setting the shot temperature. During a shot, the readout bounces all over the place as the heating element cycles on in response to cold water entering the boiler. But, this has little or no relation to the temperature of the water leaving the E-61 brewhead, which is consistently flat. So I only use the readout to set the initial temperature and monitor the initial warmup. After that I treat is as useless noise. The Dalla Corte has an indicator light, by the way, to show when it has reached the temperature set point.

No lever or levetta or anything shiny to operate when *I* think the shot is done. I am sure you can cut the shot via a button on the Dalla Corte, but I like the lever...

Nearly all pump-driven commercial machines use button controls. If the shot blonds before the flowmeter says it should stop, you just push another button (I think the "*" button on the Dalla Corte). You do realize that you are pushing a button on the E-61? The back of the cam on the levetta pushes a spring-loaded button to stop and start the pump.

And I know this might be really silly to some people, but aethestically, I find the plastic really fugly. Not as fugly as other machines out there - at least there is some shiny chrome on the Dalla Corte, but I like the way the E61 looks.

It's not silly. The espresso machine sits in a place of honor in many homes. Certainly the designers of commercial machines have put a lot of thought and money into eye-popping designs. For me it's one of those form-follows-function decisions, and I decided to sacrifice one value for the other.

[Thatchmo]

So Marshall, does this mean that you've decided on the Dalla Corte for certain?

[Marshall]

So Marshall, does this mean that you've decided on the Dalla Corte for certain?

Yeah.

[Thatchmo]

When is it due to arrive?

Will you give a full report?

I am very interested in how it stacks up against the VBM DoubleDomo!

Thanks,

Kirk

[Marshall]

When is it due to arrive?

I was told the first air shipments from Italy are going out in a week or two.

Will you give a full report?

Nah. I'm not an engineer or tinkerer. I don't open machines up, unless something is wrong with them. But I'll report general impressions and comparisons with my pimped-out Zaffiro. http://home.earthlink.net/~mrfuss/

I am very interested in how it stacks up against the VBM DoubleDomo!

Was that an offer to buy me one?

[Thatchmo]

When I win the lottery, I will buy three or four of the contenders, have a big video taped comparison derby, and sell the ones I don't want to keep!!!

Until then....I will read everyone else's opinions!!!

Kirk

[BobS]

I was told the first air shipments from Italy are going out in a week or two.

Seems a shipment just left port. It'll take the standard three weeks to get over over here and into the
shops - http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/372078

Bob