Posted Thu Nov 15, 2012, 10:49pm Subject: Re: La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? help me decide
I have used a friend's Elektra T1 (the one 1st line sells) several times and I think it is a fantastic machine - easy to use, makes wonderful espresso, and steams super fast. I have only seen the DT1 in photos but it would have to look much better up close to win in the counter appeal category over the beautiful Elektra.
Posted Thu Nov 29, 2012, 7:55am Subject: Re: La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? help me decide
hydrologic Said:
Started with a POS Saeco, went to a Sylvia, then came the Andreja Premium, now rocking a Vivaldi II....now time to upgrade. But what to choose??? the La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? I like they are both beastly and capable and beautiful and have volumetric dosing. I love the Elektra's sexy retro looks with the wood handles..wow. The Casa ain't too shabby either...different...sexy as well but more modern. Probably splitting hairs in terms of performance and longevity. I'm a cappuccino guy...I use about 3-4 ounces of milk for my double shot. Almost never do I pull straight shots with no milk. The only drawback is the Electra is one inch deeper and you lose precious counter depth....but that's not enough to sway me away from this beauty. HELP ME DECIDE!!!
hydrologic Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 8:57pm Subject: Re: La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? help me decide
ok so the Londinium is very intriguing but since its so new I wouldn't feel comfortable importing one. If something goes wrong then what? Nobody in my region will know how to work on it so then what? send it back to England for repairs? Maybe I'll look at the Bosco since that seems the most capable and robust commercial style lever machine.
The DT1 and T1 look awesome but I'm not sure if it would be a huge upgrade from my current Vivaldi. Now the Linea would be an upgrade but jesus $6500 is ridiculous....
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,475 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Fri Nov 30, 2012, 11:00pm Subject: Re: La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? help me decide
hydrologic Said:
well....now I'm confused....or rather...researching more. The lever machines are pretty neat. I like the idea of the lever, a lot. The Londinium is very tempting but importing direct without a US distributor to support the product is sketchy at best! The Izzo sounds like a great machine but is a little silly looking with the double warming tray. The Bosco looks really nice but almost $4k! I dunno....more research I suppose.
Jason's advice is spot on, as well as pretty much everyone who has posted. I'll say that, as a lever owner, maintenance is a lesser problem than with a pump machine. Most lever guys service their own. Truthfully, so do most pump guys. There's basically northing in an espresso machine that can't be replaced with a good diagram or written explanation, and the part or parts.
I'd dare say for instance that Chris Coffee may get 10% or less of machines sold back for service. I serviced my own Anita (replaced a stat, simple)... Same with a Londinium (L1), for instance. An email, or even a video of your problem, and they can work you through the repair. Same with a Bosco, or any commercial style spring lever.
That said, a lever is NOT for everyone, and requires more space due to the height of the extended lever, and there is more time lag between shots, as there is no 3 way valve on non HX levers.
hydrologic Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Dec 2, 2012, 12:30pm Subject: Re: La Cimbali Junior Casa DT1 or Elektra Sixties Model T1??? help me decide
No I understand and more or less agree. They are pretty simple to work on and I have done plenty of repairs myself in the past. It's just slightly unnerving to not have a US distributor if something truly were to go wrong. I'm going to sit tight a while and keep my eyes on a lever machine....unless a Linea comes my way for a deal..... thanks everyone for their input. much appreciated
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