The Dalla Corte Mini seems to use a very cheap OPV compared to the one used on Mini Vivaldi. Can someone comment on what affect this might have?

Dalla Corte Mini OPV:



Mini-Vivaldi OPV:

From what I read in the article below, the Dalla Corte Mini OPV (plastic fluidotech) is the cheapest of the lot and would struggle to achieve lower pressures:

http://coffeetime.wdfiles.com/loc...alve/OPV_Valve.pdf

I'm surprised they are using it on this expensive machine when it has already been replaced on the cheaper Expobars.

Endo wrote:From what I read in the article below, the Dalla Corte Mini OPV (plastic fluidotech) is the cheapest of the lot and would struggle to achieve lower pressures:

http://coffeetime.wdfiles.com/loc...alve/OPV_Valve.pdf

I'm surprised they are using it on this expensive machine when it has already been replaced on the cheaper Expobars.

I guess this answers the question, "Are all Vivaldi owners obsessed with the Dalla Corte?"

Marshall wrote:I guess this answers the question, "Are all Vivaldi owners obsessed with the Dalla Corte?"

At least one is not. Maybe I'm the exception that proves the rule.

HB wrote:Expobars have had the same OPV for years. Judging from the Expobar Brewtus III, they recently switched to one that looks similar, but has a metal adjustment screw instead of nylon. The one you pictured on the Vivaldi is also on the Quickmill and a host of other espresso machines. It's less finicky to adjust and looks more sturdy; I have no data to claim one is more or less reliable than the other.

It was switched in later models of Brewtus II, for a good reason. I had a Brewtus II with the original OPV (nylon screw), and it was completely incapable of controlling pressure to around 9 bar. So I switched it to a new OPV (metal screw) and that was barely capable of controlling to 9 bar.

Marshall wrote:I guess this answers the question, "Are all Vivaldi owners obsessed with the Dalla Corte?"

What happened to the GS/3 obsession? Doubt is a bitch

The Dalla Corte Mini and the Mini-Vivaldi are similar in design, so it's natural to compare. No envy here, I could have bought either and been just as happy. I'm pointing out the OPV because it seems odd to use that one.

Now GS/3 envy....that's another thing. Chas Rimpo (the owner of the S1cafe forum) just bought a GS/3. Some dreams do come true.

Endo wrote:The Dalla Corte Mini and the Mini-Vivaldi are similar in design.

Not where it matters.



I never considered the Vivaldi for a minute. I was looking for a machine that was less expensive and less trouble-prone than the GS/3, which is where my head had been for a year.

Endo:

The statement "The Dalla Corte Mini and the Mini-Vivaldi are similar in design" is absolutely incorrect. The groups are substantially different. The Vivaldi boiler is mounted to the side and the group hangs off of the boiler. The DC group is more than adequately shown in this thread. Having tested both groups for temperature stability I can tell you for sure that their behaviors and their reproducibility, particularly in walkup shots is substantially different, with the DC more reproducible than the Vivaldi.

-Greg

Maybe DC needs to take a good hard look at the Bruni Brunella for the Dalla Corte Mini a Leva. The boiler design is there. The temperature control is there. By pumping hot water, the temperature stability would be unparalleled in machines with steaming ability.
Also, the pump would only be used to fill the boilers and DC could ditch the opv.

Marshall wrote:I guess this answers the question, "Are all Vivaldi owners obsessed with the Dalla Corte?"

I wouldn't say obsessed but as Endo said it is natural to compare the two particularly when you look at the price point DC has chosen for the Mini in the U.S. It certainly seems to be a very nice machine, just a bit overpriced for what it offers imo.

JohnB. wrote:It certainly seems to be a very nice machine, just a bit overpriced for what it offers imo.

I really had my eye on the DC Mini last summer. Then when they came in the price had leapt ~30%. A quick browse of European sites showed no such price disparity between the Mini and the Vivaldi. Put me right off the Mini. I moved on, but for me to consider it, I'd need to hear specifics - preferably from an importer - why the current pricing is not a tad predatory.

I was asking a specific question.

The Vivaldi and the Mini were the same price in Europe while 30% apart here. Why?

If the answer is just marketing, then fine. I'll vote with my wallet.

gscace wrote:The statement "The Dalla Corte Mini and the Mini-Vivaldi are similar in design" is absolutely incorrect. The groups are substantially different.
-Greg

The Mini-Vivaldi and Dalla Corte Mini are both dual boiler, vibe pump, pour-over machines that do not use the traditional E-61 head. Can you name any two other machines that are better suited for comparison?

You say you have brew temperature comparisons of both machines? I'd like to see the graphs overlaid. I'm curious to see what an extra $1000 buys in terms of temperature stability.