Posted Wed Apr 9, 2008, 9:52pm Subject: Quickmill "La Cora?"
So my little Silvia (ca. Jan. '05, stock, no PID) is developing that superheating problem--only workaround for me is to turn it on, do the 6-min. "cheat," and keep it on no longer than an hour unless I am running water through the brewhead or steamwand every few minutes. I have given up hope of ever getting my Livia 90A back from the shop in fixable shape, or getting them to give me a Magister MS-40 with a working pump, breaker and valves as promised. Came into a little bit of a windfall (no, not enough for a Brewtus, LaSpaz or--gulp--LaMarzocco), and decided to check out the shop I should have consulted all along, Cora Espresso out in the near W. suburbs. (They service most good shops in my area). They are selling only two home machines---the LaSpaz (too rich for my blood, and I don't want to plumb it in or have a big honkin' water bottle/Flojet in my kitchen, nor do I want to install a 220 line) and what they call the "LaCora," basicalliy a Quickmill Andreja Premium with a few cosmetic differences, plus a redesigned reservoir access (no need to remove cups) and deeper drip tray. Cora will even deliver it for free (though they won't set it up). Their price is $1395. Double gauges (pressure and temp) too.
Anyone have any experience with it or the Andreja Premium? If I am experienced with an HX machine (I always ran the Livia like a semi-auto anyway), will I settle nicely into the groove with it?
Sandy www.sandyandina.com ------------------- Life's too short to drink lousy coffee, play crummy guitars and write with ballpoint pens.
I don't own one, but I've partied with one a bit. All I can say about that experience is: The AP rocks.
I was under the impression that all Cora products were Spanish-built. If that's true, it can't be a Quick Mill. The only thing I'm saying here is, "Check your facts, then check them again."
LA CARA was a spanish build product La CORA John Cora is the name of a person and a company in ( chigaco I believe) and i guess quickmill build machines with is name on
Any chance you could post a photo? Considering it's almost $200 cheaper than the AP, I wonder if the differences are more than cosmetic (like the steam arm and valves). At some point, it might be close enough to the QM Anita, which is $1250, that you should consider that instead.
Peter
------------------------------------------------------ Know beans, know coffee. No beans, no coffee.
Any chance you could post a photo? Considering it's almost $200 cheaper than the AP, I wonder if the differences are more than cosmetic (like the steam arm and valves). At some point, it might be close enough to the QM Anita, which is $1250, that you should consider that instead.
It definitely is made by Quickmill--says so on the Cora (the shop, not the Spanish brand) website. Phoned them and spoke to the proprietor. Asked him what the differences were between the "La Cora" and the Andreja Premium and he told me they were only cosmetic, plus the tank is accessible without removing cups from the warmer and the LC has a deeper drip tray. The Anita is more barebones, with only one gauge and (IIRC) al steamwand that is not no-burn. You have to remove the cups from the warmer to get at the tank on both the AP and Anita; the Andreja Premium has an electronic low-water indicator and commercial no-burn steamwand and hot water wands, as well as more robust hardware all around. Prices are rising all across the board due to the increased cost of steel--the Anita used to be under $1000 and it's been little more than a year on the market. If I can get the LC for the $1395 it was last week (SM's has the AP all the way up to $1550 now), I'm gonna lock in the price as soon as I can before Cora raises it, especially since they can deliver free in a few days while everyone else is charging for shipping.
Wonder if they know there's a Spanish company called "La Cora?"
Sandy www.sandyandina.com ------------------- Life's too short to drink lousy coffee, play crummy guitars and write with ballpoint pens.
Sounds like a good deal to me. I found a link to the La Cora and it looks kind of like the AP, not as wide though...I wonder if that would mean a smaller boiler? I've got an Anita, which does have both gauges BTW, and I love it, so I'll guess you'll be happy with the La Cora since it's got a few extra goodies. What I don't see mentioned though are whether the steam and hot water valves are the higher quality commercial grade valves that are available on the AP which could mean a lesser price. And I'm pretty sure the AP's reservoir is accessible without removing the cups from the warmer. So, if you like the extra things like the no-burn steam and hot water wands and easily accessible reservoir then it seems like a good deal. But for $200 or more (you may have to pay tax since you are in the same state as Cora) in savings you'll get the same quality espresso as the Anita.
I should have searched for the "La Cora" before I asked. I find this thread interesting because I plan on upgrading to an AP as soon as the IRS gives me my $600 back.
Anyways, this is very interesting. On the Cora website they have two pictures of the "La Cora", and they are set up differently. On their front page, there is a small picture with a QM grinder beside it. In this picture, the machine is equipped with the same valves, knobs and steam/hot water arms as the Anita. Notice the star-shaped knobs and the black plastic protective sleeves on the elbows of the steam/hot water arms.
But if you click on this small image for more info, it takes you to a larger picture that has yellow numbers that tie to a legend. This machine is slightly different than the one in the smaller picture. This machine is equipped with the same commercial-quality valves and no-burn steam/hot water arms as the Andreja Premium.
It seems to me that if the La Cora comes with the same hardware as the AP you're getting a great machine for the price. I'll have to consider that. If it comes as pictured in the smaller photo with the same hardware as the Anita you would be better off paying $1250 for the Anita from Chris (that price includes shipping).
Peter
------------------------------------------------------ Know beans, know coffee. No beans, no coffee.
The steam/hot water knobs are definitely the ones from AP. Pretty hard to make out the valves, though. The case looks to be of similar width to Anita...maybe even as narrow as Alexia...but with the side venting of AP.
Anita with upgraded knobs (not an option through Chris that I'm aware of), no-burn steam and hot water wands (both available) would be very similarly priced to this machine. If it does indeed include the commercial-style valves of AP as well as the rest of the "innards," it's a heck of a deal.
And if that case is indeed as narrow as Alexia's, you may want to check on the boiler size. Alexia's .75l boiler doesn't quite fill up all the internal space, but I'm not sure a 1.6l boiler would fit, either.
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