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Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 10:53Hi Everyone,
A few years back I went with some advice from this forum and purchased a Solis SL-70 and Maestro grinder. It made decent espresso and still does. However I'd like to move up into a next-tier machine while keeping my grinder.
The Silva seems to have great reviews but before I go with it I'd like to know if any of the Gaggia models (especially the newer ones) around 400-500 are comparable. I haven't noticed them having brass boilers but is this really a big deal?
If anyone has some experience with both brands at around the $500 price point I'd appreciate to hear it. Thanks.
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Wiggy
Visitor
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 11:13Should add that my main drinks will be iced lattes, blended drinks, espresso con pana and I'd also like to start pouring latte art, so a decent ability to get the micro foam is a plus.
Also important is to get better quality espresso that would stand the scrutiny of being served straight. Thanks.
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Bobby
User Senior Barista
Posts: 26
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Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 13:18First the disclaimers: I'm an espresso noob and I don't have any hands-on experience with any of the machines you mentioned. My opinion/thoughts come only from the research and reading I've done.
I don't think going from the SL-70 to the Silvia is really moving to a 'next-tier' machine. The user comments/reviews I've seen indicate with an unpressurized portafilter the SL-70 produces espresso equal to what you can get from a Silvia.
I'd suggest that you keep your SL-70, get an unpressurized portafilter (if you don't already have one) and get a better grinder. The universal mantra on all espresso sites is get the best grinder you can afford. I know you want to keep your Maestro, and as a fellow Maestro owner I understand, but the popular opinion is that the Maestro is not a 'real' espresso grinder. It can however be kept as it is a great grinder for other types of coffee preparation, i.e. drip, moka, french press.
The sky is the limit on the amount you can spend on a grinder, but the Rancilio Rocky is very popular and costs around $310. Moving up to the $500 (or more) category the popular choices are the Macap M4 and Mazzer Mini.
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colin
Admin Admin
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Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 13:21The next step up is the Rancilio Silvia - no question. Sure, you could get a Gaggia with its Aluminum boiler - but the Solis SL70 has a Brass boiler - a good one at that.
I know that drinking Aluminum-oxide is not a health hazard - although it sounds like it should be... It is simply better to use brass when it comes to heating water.
That is my thought.Colin is the Senior editor and creator of the CoffeeCrew.Com Website
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Bobby
User Senior Barista
Posts: 26
Karma: 6
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 13:24Edit: Oops, I somehow double posted my comment.
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Wiggy
Visitor
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 15:57Thank you for the input.
Basically I am losing access to the Solis and need a new machine for myself so I figured now was a good time to invest in a better machine. (I did have the non pressures inserts by the way).
Under $600 for the Silva seems like a decent price and from what I've read anyways, it's the best machine at that price point?
If anyone cares to chime in on another machine under that price that might serve me fine please do. I wouldn't want to go for something like the Gaggia Coffee, Classic etc and end up getting something less than I had with the Solis.
I understand that I may not have the best grinder also, but an upgrade for that might be a little ways down the road.
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Bobby
User Senior Barista
Posts: 26
Karma: 6
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/28 18:18Wiggy,
No doubt the Silvia is a popular machine and paired with a Rocky it is the the default recommended home setup.
I wondered the same thing as you, whether the Silvia is the best at it's price point and you there are a few threads at other sites (coffee geek and home barista) discussing this point.
The only complaint about the Silvia is that it is finicky or inconsistent unless you spend more to install a PID kit. Once you add that cost in (in the US at least) there are a number of other machines which then become serious competitors to the Sivlia.
So, part of your answer depends on where you're located and if you're looking to buy from a bricks and mortar store or buying online.
Then it seems really to be a matter of how much control over all the variables of espresso making you want and if you want a machine that will be forgiving of mistakes or not.
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Wiggy
Visitor
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/29 08:41I've seen the Silva for $595 in Canada with free shipping so I'd go that route. With my grinder it may be a bit of a challenge to get good shots from it but I can always grow into it. For an extra hundred bucks over a Gaggia Baby it may be worth it in the long run.
I will check out those threads you mentioned. Thanks.
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Bobby
User Senior Barista
Posts: 26
Karma: 6
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/29 13:53If you're looking to buy online, and assuming you're not interested in a lever machine, the following companies all make brass boiler machines in the same price range as the Silvia: Mokita, Solis, Isomac and Acaso (all available at creativecookware.com).
You'll find almost no information on the Mokita and some on the Solis and Acaso. The Isomac machines have gotten a lot of praise on coffeegeek, with some posters saying if they had to do it over they would make it their first machine instead of the Silvia.
The big advantage to the Silvia seems to be its popularity. Because of that there is a wealth of information available and lots of fellow owners to offer advice/support.
As for your grinder, check out the Baratza website. In the FAQ section they provide instructions on how to modify the Maestro to get a finer grind.
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Wiggy
Visitor
Re:Recommendations on New Machine (Upgrading) - 2008/01/29 15:22Mokita for 299 with brass boiler, and what looks to be a commercial size portafilter? What's the catch? Can you obtain non pressurized baskets for these?
Bobby, you've opened up a bunch of new candidates, I hope you're happy.
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