It pays to walk the floor a lot - there's always a few gems and unknowns, especially in the domestic machine market. Tricks and treats abound, from roaster surprises, to new innovations in grinders, and new technologies in espresso machines. Rumour has it at this year's show, one of the biggest names in commercial espresso will be announcing (and maybe even displaying) a foray into the world of consumer / prosumer machines. The initials LM come to mind.
So I thought that I'd get this topic ready to go for anyone at SCAA to pass on anything that they find out ...
It Exists: The La Marzocco Consumer Machine Posted by Mark Prince, 10:15am
Yes folks, after several long years of negotiations, discussion, panels of experts talking, and a lot of sweat and effort by a guy named Bill Crossland, the La Marzocco Consumer Machine (no official name yet) exists. Here's some exclusive first photos. Click for larger image Click for larger image
La Marzocco Consumer Machine This is the preproduction, fully functioning model. In fact, it had been beaten up in it's first "showing" (even dropped) and though some things weren't working properly, the machine as a whole was still pounding out shots. Man behind it. Bill Crossland has been a champion behind the scenes at La Marzocco for this machine, and now it's come to fruition. I want 002 off the line, Bill!
Details that I can talk about.
Initial price point: TBA Boilers: 2, with preheater (steam boiler draws most power) Steam is 3 litres, boiler is 1. Automatic, with all the new GB5's internal electronics and controls 110V, designed that way from the ground up Paddle Wheel, GS2 grouphead (still in development - mock up on this machine) PID built in 1 gallon reservoir Similar styling to the most unique usable machine out there - the Speedster Plumbed in / out optional 220/240 power optional Size, 13 inches high, deep enough to allow about 4 to 5 inches on a standard kitchen counter. Weight (???) Availability: This summer or early fall.
Get your calls in folks.
My thoughts:
-Looks worse than any of the other LM machines, but hopefully that's something that they're looking at changing. Funny, because the speedster is probably my favourite looking machine ever.
-Drip tray looks bad; like on Silvia, I'd imagine that it would allow for a lot of water to sit on it.
-I want the high linea legs, dammit!
-Other than the above, FANTASTIC!!
Two questions:
a) How much? b) Gimme!
Also looks like a good base to use to mod up like one of the kees machines ;P
Damn I hope this is at a competitive price. Wouldn't sell well to the general market near the La Spaziale S1 price point ... but, let's face it; we're the target market! Would a non-cg really buy this machine?
Looks worse than any other machine. May be its the photos - but it just looks plain crap, sort of like an ancient computer or calculator with an LM Group sticking out the top. Still, I'd have an ugly machine which pulls good shots rather than a looker any day.
I'll hold off on any upgrade while it sorts itself out.
Price? It's going to quite easily outspec the LaSpazS1. At US$3,000 it probably still squashes the competition at that price (Cimbali Junior S1).
In Australia Luca - anyone's guess. It'll have to cost less than AU$4k - otherwise why would you bother when you could have a Linea 1 group.
Any thoughts on whether this will be a, to take a leaf from Rick's book, "Bleeding Edge" machine with bugs worked out through the first X units/year(s)?
Looks worse than any other machine. May be its the photos - but it just looks plain crap, sort of like an ancient computer or calculator with an LM Group sticking out the top. Still, I'd have an ugly machine which pulls good shots rather than a looker any day.
I actually like the electronics and the paddle wheel .... I just would have liked to retain the stainless steel finish... but who cares... its a La Marzocco... a LA MARZOCCO ...when was the last time they came out with crap.. hmmmm (I haven't been in coffee long enough to remember)
so I am not going to nitpick... I am going to wait knowing that the machine will only get better and it will be a drool piece by the time it is available for purchase.... look at the diff between the standard Synesso's and the one that I saw a couple of days ago with the dayglo lighting and the colored panels....
DOM...evil genius ...Up to no good in espresso at all times... VIVA la parts de Espresso
Looks worse than any of the other LM machines, but hopefully that's something that they're looking at changing. Funny, because the speedster is probably my favourite looking machine ever.
Looks pretty much like a GS1/GS2 single group to me. And frankly I think it looks great! I'm happy that it doesn't have the boxy shape of a linea, which is a great machine, but not the most attractive as far as I am concerned. I doubt I will be able to justify the cost, much as I would absolutely love to have one. C'est la vie.
Andy Schecter and I bumped into Kent Bakke late last night just outside the Barista Guild party and he graciously offered us a look of the famed LM consumer machine, despite that he was obviously exhausted.
I thought the prototype looked very sharp and home-friendly. It didn't look like a one-group café machine that happened to land in someone's kitchen -- it was clearly designed with the North American market in mind. The interior boiler construction was a reduced-mirror image of their commercial line, right down to the flange heating element mounts. Andy and I queried Kent about a few of their design point decisions, some of which frankly surprised me (e.g., a non-removable stainless steel pourover tank as part of the exterior shell...?). His answers showed that they had obviously given lots of thought to the particular expectations of the home market.
Judging from what I saw, this machine's introduction may be as much about marketing as production issues. Indeed, their idea of a "prototype" would shame many a production-ready version. However, they are still tweaking the design and price point, which Kent suggested might nix nicities like the brushed black anonized aluminum sides from the final version due to production costs. That'd be a shame, I thought it really set the look apart.
Andy Schecter and I bumped into Kent Bakke late last night just outside the Barista Guild party and he graciously offered us a look of the famed LM consumer machine, despite that he was obviously exhausted.
I thought the prototype looked very sharp and home-friendly. It didn't look like a one-group café machine that happened to land in someone's kitchen -- it was clearly designed with the North American market in mind. The interior boiler construction was a reduced-mirror image of their commercial line, right down to the flange heating element mounts. Andy and I queried Kent about a few of their design point decisions, some of which frankly surprised me (e.g., a non-removable stainless steel pourover tank as part of the exterior shell...?). His answers showed that they had obviously given lots of thought to the particular expectations of the home market.
Judging from what I saw, this machine's introduction may be as much about marketing as production issues. Indeed, their idea of a "prototype" would shame many a production-ready version. However, they are still tweaking the design and price point, which Kent suggested might nix nicities like the brushed black anonized aluminum sides from the final version due to production costs. That'd be a shame, I thought it really set the look apart.
I had a chance to see it also, along with Mark P. and Owen Egan. I think it is way cool also but I'll believe it exists (as a production machine) only when I see it up for sale. And my guess is the wait will be a LOT longer than has been suggested, since they are waiting on the pump supplier to provide them with a pump that currently does not exist.
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