This is a FANTSTIC machine and everything I hoped it would be - true commercial quality throughout. The brew system is extremely stable and very easy to pull consistant shots. One should note that since it is set-up for commercial use it will heat very fast between shots so the group must be flushed if it's allowed to remain idle for more than a minute, but this is just a minor annoyance - it actually is a good thing because it allow you to get repeatable brew temperatures simply by listening and observing the water stream. I can't say enough about how good the Cimbali group is. It has a unique design that provides much better water dispersion that any other machine I've used. As far as steaming, latte art is a breeze. The power is just about right with the tip that Chris Coffee has installed. I still am a bit annoyed by the hot water tap (as I am a big Americano drinker). I wish it would be like the GS/3 or Speedster and incorporate a mixing so that the water is 180F and not boiling! My other very minor complaint is the cup warmer - since the boiler is insulated, it doesn't radiate enough heat to make the cup warmer very effective, even with the machine on all day. Oh well... So far I've had the machine for about 7 months and couldn't be happier. Another thing about the machine that stands out is how quite it is. The pressure stat hardly makes a light click and also the pump is very quite and smooth. As far as the taste, It is easily on par with some of the best multi-group commercial machines that I've used. Aesthetically, it looks really good - the stainless steel panels are mirror-like. The design is mostly functional, but in the end it's all about one thing... taste, and it does not disappoint.
