JimWright wrote:I found a relatively lightly used one the dealer thought I could get for $6k

Mark, Jim maybe meant you could buy that one through him, or he could give the address through PM. But it may be too expensive for your liking still.

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe

Yes, absolutely Peter - Mark, happy to put you in touch with the dealer who told me about the used one if you like, let me know.

Incidentally, I was thinking the same thing you are about the spring levers - simplicity, beauty, reliability, and reputation for great shots (as well as my experience of them). The reason I went with the GS/3 instead is mostly that I'm a renter and just found out I'm possibly about to move, and a large machine which requires 220V (they can't do 110V just yet - I asked) and plumbing in is a bit more difficult than a 110V pourover that sits easily on a kitchen counter. Given that I may be looking for a new place, and have a dog (which makes finding new places difficult as it is), I figured it was just safer to go small. That, and I'm a bit on the lazy side for complex temp management routines - I wanted to be able to experiment to find the right setting, set it and forget it for new blends, and the PID setup makes this a little easier I think (though perhaps some lever users will disagree on that point).

BTW, Espresso Parts NW is selling the two group Victoria Arduino for $7k brand new - this might be right up your alley as well if you've got the room!

JimWright wrote:I went with the GS/3 instead

I can imagine, in my case the form factor does not fit.
Plus, before upgrading the coffee machine I would upgrade the grinder first.

JimWright wrote:two group Victoria Arduino for $7k brand new

So Novecento, art deco or interbellum, to characterize a broad era. The hammered sheet metal body parts really make this a seriously looking machine. And I have seen many a bar in Italy and Paris (or France in general) where this machine would really blend in. But it would not blend in with my stuff.
The 3000W (a boiler of some 4 gallon) are not attractive as well considering energy consumption.

I saw some photos on a German website that were made in Kees van der Westen's workshop when they paid him a visit. It seemed he was prototyping a single group model again (think Speedster).
One way or another there is something that seems to withhold him from using LM saturated (paddle) groups, probably his business relation with LM. The photos showed a single group Mistral with a LM look alike paddle-lever group - not the same thing, but definitely similar principle and no doubt saturated.

In the meantime the master moved to another address and may not have had time at all to continue this development. Imagine the choice between cylinder/piston lever and paddle-lever operated pump.
It looks like this is not going to happen though.

Regards
Peter
Netherlands
Europe