I thought I'd post a very quick update to this now that I've had the Cremina for a year.

I was delighted with the machine when it arrived, though I never felt it had the sex appeal of the Elektra or quite the same flavour clarity, particularly for complex bright beans such as Sidamo or Yirgacheffe.

What has surprised me, however, is that my appreciation of and affection for the Cremina has grown immensely as I have got to know it better: I find it an extremely versatile and very consistent machine. Paired with a good conical grinder it can achieve shots to rival and indeed beat the very best commercial establishments I frequent. Its combination of body, mouthfeel and flavour delineation on syrupy double ristrettos is quite simply outstanding, but it can also handle a wide variety of bean and shot preferences with aplomb. It's only on delicate singles that the Elektra is more revealing, albeit at the expense of body and mouthfeel.

Whereas a year ago my love of African beans would have made the Elektra my preference if I could only have one machine, the situation has now reversed.

Despite the tremendous reputation the Cremina enjoys, I have come to think that it is actually frequently under-rated, considered to be no more than a La Pavoni with a case and superior build quality. This couldn't be further from the truth: it's actually in an entirely different class. You really need to live with one to appreciate its virtues.

Cheers

Mike