Actually, super ristretto shots from ultralight coffees that are sweet and thick with great clarity are the new hotness. Rao is dated, but a valid authority on EKspresso.

Hah! What a coincidence. After spending a lot of time diddling with super long low debit, high EY style pulls, (18in/40'ish out like a lot of third wave shops), I just recently spontaneously decided to take a break from that scene for a bit, and have been enjoying some super light thick ristrettos, still with a super low debit start.

-Peter

And you have the technology to do it. I'd love to try a BDB with PI mod as you have done. That is badass. A Slayer or DE1 is cheating.

It seems a lot of home users prefer it for the espresso taste experience it provides.

Putting aside issues of alignment for a moment, and talking strictly about durability of the Vario, which has been speculated to be poor...

Mine is one of the first. Bought in summer 2009 not long after it made it's flashy opening at SCAA. It has none of the subsequent durability upgrades that have come out over the years, even has the original plastic spur gear, original drive belt, has seen nothing but light to overly light home roast, and has never missed a day of service. I have no idea about it's burr alignment, they are the very bi modal looking original Mahlkoenig ceramics. But to the extent that intransigent ugly pours, unresponsive to meticulous prep have been associated with poor alignment, I have experienced no such thing.

-Peter

Moderator Note:
Follow up discussion regarding alignment methods of the Forté/Vario split into The Alicorn: Achieving Precision Alignment with the Baratza Forté/Vario