I recently bought a slightly used Mazzer Super Jolly (rebadged a RIO) that arrived today. It was in a little better shape and a few years newer than my SJ (although mine is in very nice shape also) plus it had a few extra things that went with it, grounds tray etc. I was looking for a little upgrade, and I figure I'll just about break even on the sale of mine and what the RIO cost me. Well, after unpacking the RIO I noticed the size difference right away. The RIO is taller, wider and heavier than the Mazzer badged one.

http://i141.photobucket.com/album...cfore/IMG_2584.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/album...cfore/IMG_2593.jpg

There were a few other things that differed with these SJ's. The RIO badge says 120V vs. 110v for the Mazzer. The RIO also weighs 36.5# vs, 28.5# for the Mazzer, can you say WOW? I can assume that it has a bigger motor? What exactly does this mean? They both say Super Jolly on the tag. I do like that the RIO has the cord coming out of the back, not the side like the Mazzer, that was always kind of a pain.

http://i141.photobucket.com/album...cfore/IMG_2591.jpg

One more comparison is that the RIO front tray does not extend out as far but is a little more squat, plus the legs are postioned more near the front and back than on the regular Mazzer. The caution tag is pop riveted on the RIO and just a sticker on the Mazzer.

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The fork is much bigger on the RIO, plus it has a red light on the front that indicates when its running which the regular Mazzer does not. I'm kind of pleasantly surprized with all the upgrades on the RIO, as I thought I was getting the exact same machine. Does anyone know why this is done on the rebaged Mazzers? Are these thought to be a little more "industrial" type models? Thanks for any insight into the mystery that is MAZZER! p.s. OK, its probably not a conspiracy, maybe watching a little too much TV lately.

The more "squat" style protrusion, and the red light in its location makes me consider that the Rio may just be a newer model.

I had a borrowed brand new Mazzer SJ for awhile before the SCRBC (and a little while afterwards) that had the same features.



As you can see, the "Caution" label is pop riveted on it as well.

I don't think there's a conspiracy going on here.

I've got a Rio SJ (used) on the way as well, actually.

When it arrives I'll report back.

I own a Aristarco SE/N, which seems to be a Super Jolly, but the outer style is more like the Rio, the motor says 380 watts, and it is stepped. It is exactly the same as a Vibiemme grinder.
I talked to the importer of Aristarco in the Netherlands and asked if I could use the Super Jolly burrs if they were the same. They did not know this, but they did tell that they knew that there were only a few grinder factories, and that there was a particular brand that did a lot of rebranding...

Is it possible you've got a Major? Are the burrs the same size on the Mazzer/Rio?

caeffe wrote:Is it possible you've got a Major? Are the burrs the same size on the Mazzer/Rio?

I'm sure Its a Super Jolly because it says that on one of the stickers plus it does not have the vents on the side of the grinder. In doing a little research it looks to be a RIO Normale, here is some info I got online: Mazzer makes all 3 lines of Mazzer, Rio "ESPRESSO SPECIALIST" and Astoria "GENERAL ESPRESSO" among others. Both the Rio and Astoria brands are priced higher and more durable and desireable than the regular Mazzer badged grinders. If you want a "RIO" you get it from ESI or used, if you want a "ASTORIA" you get it from General Espresso, you can buy a Mazzer almost anywhere. The Mazzer line is discounted, The "RIO" & "ASTORIA" lines are not. The Rio Super Jolly (Normale) sells for $1050.00 while the normal Mazzer Super Jolly sells for $689.00 and is only 350 watts. It looks like the Rio I purchased is a pretty big upgrade to the Mazzer Super Jolly in both build and price. One thing about mine that is very confusing is it says 120V on the tag where I can only find the 110V version of the Rio Normale online. Is the 120V preferable over the 110V version or does it even make a difference? Please let me know if you can shed a little light on this. Thanks.

ccfore wrote:Please let me know if you can shed a little light on this. Thanks.

If you mean the 110/120V question ... no. But I can say the model shown in Franke's Rio Grinder PDF looks just like yours: https://resources.myeporia.com/co...0Parts%2009-07.pdf

The 1999 Rio branded Super Jolly I own, looks just like your Mazzer and is labeled 110VAC. What year is your Rio? And if you tell us you only paid $200 we will hate you!

George

Yes, thats the one that I have. I think mine was manufactured in '05. I believe the first two serial numbers corresponds to that year? But my machine was used for only five months in a home setting and looks like it just came out of the box. No, you can't hate me as I paid between 400.- 500., still a great deal in my book. Thanks for your info.

Interesting.

WLL lists different physical dimensions as well.

Good thing I won a Rio Normale instead of a Mazzer SJ for ~$200 (including shipping) a couple of days ago.

Wow I've never stopped and thought about any of this. I didn't realize there was such a difference. I did some looking into it and here is what I found:

Super Jolly ($689): http://www.wholelattelove.com/Mazzer/superjolly.cfm

Rio Normale ($1050): http://www.wholelattelove.com/com...ts/rio_normale.cfm

I just bought a Rio Normale and it is a hefty machine, but works so well I don't regret it at all. I like it better than my Junior so far.