Want to buy a new espresso machine

sefischer1

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2018
102
40
115
Southern California
With the grinder I think you need to decide if you're going to use different coffees. I like having 2-3 choices available so a grinder with a hopper doesn't work for me. The other alternative is grinders intended for single dosing like the Kafetek Monolith among others. I have a Compak flat-burr grinder I modified for single dosing simply by removing the hopper and using an cheap aluminum tamper with a ball-end handle as a bean weight. I weigh the beans then put them in the grinder with the tamper on top to keep the beans from "popcorning" out. This allows me to switch beans easily but takes a few more seconds then simply pushing a button on a grinder with a hopper. For a single doser you want to make sure you have a grinder with little grounds retention. My Compak can be almost completely emptied of grounds using a simple bamboo skewer to clear the chute.

On the subject of beans this has been a favorite, and they are local...

https://dragonflycoffeeroasters.com/products/emmas-jo-the-leam-hammer-blend-12-oz-whole-bean

I've used your technique with the Quamar M80, but there is always some bean fragments left. For this reason, I use a separate grinder for decaf and regular.
 

the sound of Tao

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2014
3,620
4,839
940
I have a Strega and can't recommend it. I ordered mine from Italy for about 1/2 of the cost of a US distributor. It came with the wrong pump (of course a much cheaper pump, not a nicer pump) and the unit would shut off due to temperature, although it indicated it shut off due to lack of water. I have mine plumbed in so the entire low-water circuit should be bypassed, but still... It'll stay on in the winter with the temp set to 68 but set to 70 is enough to make it shut down after an hour or so of being on. The unit is built poorly and the entire unit flexes as you pull the lever down, if you take the covers off the frame is riveted together with no triangulation. Finally, it uses it's own spring-lever group and good luck getting parts for it if a local distributor doesn't have them. Bezerra wouldn't help me and made me go through their incompetent distributor, it didn't work out and I have a machine that isn't as advertised and won't always stay on.

I'm looking forward to replacing it right after I got it. IMO you're far better off spending a bit more on a machine that uses the Bosco group like Londinium or Profitec.

Thanks a million for that valuable info Dave and sorry to hear how it went with the Strega. The perfect world would probably be designed in Italy and built in Germany.
 

miniguy

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2013
437
168
350
San Diego area
I'd recommend going with a separate grinder and water filter. You can spend from ~$1k to $10k+, what's your budget?

IMO, espresso machines are by far the best way to make coffee. You won't regret it.

If I were buying a new machine I'd go with a spring-lever type, probably Londinium or Profitec. The lack of the need to backflush as well as the spring's declining pressure profile and relative simplicity make them a good choice for home use imo.
Do you know anything about this Quick Mill lever machine?
https://www.chriscoffee.com/Quickmill-Achille-Lever-p/996.htm
 

DaveC

Industry Expert
Nov 16, 2014
3,899
2,141
495
Do you know anything about this Quick Mill lever machine?
https://www.chriscoffee.com/Quickmill-Achille-Lever-p/996.htm


I'm not as familiar with the QM but it is another Bosco spring-lever machine. Bosco also has their own machine, the Sorrento I think.

Functionally the difference between all the Bosco lever machines is how they do preinfusion, or how the water is loaded into the group. Some like the Profitec and QM (I think) are dippers that use a thermostphon to move water into the group with little pressure until the spring is engaged. Others have pumps that fill the group and can achieve higher pressures and others use water pressure (so they require being plumbed-in).

Other differences are whether the group is fed by it's own brew boiler or a heat exchanger, and how long the unit takes to warm up. Some machines have up to 45 min warm up times so you may need a timer to turn it on in the morning.

Home Barista is the place to get more specific info, they are very helpful:

https://www.home-barista.com/advice/levers-strega-vs-pro-800-vs-achille-t45886.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelAWarner

miniguy

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2013
437
168
350
San Diego area
I'm not as familiar with the QM but it is another Bosco spring-lever machine. Bosco also has their own machine, the Sorrento I think.

Functionally the difference between all the Bosco lever machines is how they do preinfusion, or how the water is loaded into the group. Some like the Profitec and QM (I think) are dippers that use a thermostphon to move water into the group with little pressure until the spring is engaged. Others have pumps that fill the group and can achieve higher pressures and others use water pressure (so they require being plumbed-in).

Other differences are whether the group is fed by it's own brew boiler or a heat exchanger, and how long the unit takes to warm up. Some machines have up to 45 min warm up times so you may need a timer to turn it on in the morning.

Home Barista is the place to get more specific info, they are very helpful:

https://www.home-barista.com/advice/levers-strega-vs-pro-800-vs-achille-t45886.html

Great info. Thank you.
 

rblnr

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 3, 2010
2,151
291
1,170
NYC/NJ
Very much enjoying the Jura Z6 we got a few weeks ago. Good coffee and flawless operation so far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Steve Williams

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Very much enjoying the Jura Z6 we got a few weeks ago. Good coffee and flawless operation so far.

I have a Z6 for years. I started with the Z5. THey now have a Z9 which is all LCD screen and more bling but they do essentially the same

I saving my money for their Giga series and will likely do a Giga G7

The machines are great and customer service is superb. I send my machine back every 2 years for refurbishing for $250 and in less than a week I get back an essentially new Z6 which has all the new upgrades since mine was released

They sell all of the accessories although I find amazon and eBay to sell for less
 

rblnr

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 3, 2010
2,151
291
1,170
NYC/NJ
Good to know about the refurbish policy. We're using it heavily so I'd expect that to be necessary at some point.

What does the Giga series get you over the Z?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Good to know about the refurbish policy. We're using it heavily so I'd expect that to be necessary at some point.

What does the Giga series get you over the Z?

Its their Pro series with the G5 a Prosumer

Both have dual grinders and you can make 2 different cups at the same time or one caffeinated and the other decaffeinated

I love their machines. As stated I have used Jura for at least 15 years when I started with the Impressa Series and then the Z5 and Z6.

Over those years I have refurbished my machines on 3 different occasions and always got back a better machine

Make sure you keep the original box so that you can send it back to them. If not they will send you a box specific for your machine

They are in NJ, very close to you
 

rblnr

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 3, 2010
2,151
291
1,170
NYC/NJ
Thanks for all the good info Steve. Great to know you’ve been happy with Jura long term.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Thanks for all the good info Steve. Great to know you’ve been happy with Jura long term.

Bob

where did you buy your machine as my guess it is a refurbished machine as they don't make the Z6 any longer

BTW you can also buy accessories at Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma although I understand Sur La Table has dropped the line in some stores
 

rblnr

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 3, 2010
2,151
291
1,170
NYC/NJ
Got it new from wholelattelove.com with a good discount. Was considering something from the new S line, but the advice we got was that the Z, made in Switzerland unlike the S (Portugal), is better built.

FWIW, the Z6 is still listed on the Jura site. With all the different models, found it a little difficult to navigate meaningful differences.
 

DaveC

Industry Expert
Nov 16, 2014
3,899
2,141
495
I've gotta plug my friend's new biz... he's an espresso enthusiast and owns a Slayer espresso machine, and is now is a Slayer dealer if anyone in the Denver/Boulder area needs a new high end machine. The Colombian beans make amazing espresso. Best straight. :)

https://traction.coffee/
 

Bodhi

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2014
1,051
361
155
I assume if you're looking for a machine with a built in grinder, you're looking for recommendations for a Super automatic? In your budget, this machine is a quality option and ticks most of your boxes. There is also an optional cup warmer - https://au.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/Z8-Alu-AU-15147

That said, at home I use an Izzo Alex Duetto MkIII plumbed into a commercial grade Brita C150 undersink water filter & Macap M4D grinder. Personally I'm over Super automatics.
 
Last edited:

jackelsson

Well-Known Member
Dec 1, 2013
264
215
280
.de
I've gotta plug my friend's new biz... he's an espresso enthusiast and owns a Slayer espresso machine, and is now is a Slayer dealer if anyone in the Denver/Boulder area needs a new high end machine. The Colombian beans make amazing espresso. Best straight. :)

https://traction.coffee/
It seems we have two clear and distinct camps here with the super automatics on the one side and the portafilter machines on the other side. Well, I must admit I’m one of the manual folks. Analogue in audio and in coffee so to say... :)

The Slayer Espresso Single Group, together with La Marzocco GS3 & Strada EP Single Group, are really the top of the heap for home brewing in the manual camp. One day...

Currently I’m using a dual boiler Quickmill Vetrano 2B Evo and a Eureka grinder. Let’s say the espresso is drinkable. :p

_MG_6944_Quickmill_sw_1200px_web.jpg

_MG_6955_Quickmill_sw_1200px_web.jpg
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing