Powerful, elegant, easy to use. Plumbed in, rotary pump, grouphead thermo control. Super steaming capabilities. The hot waterspout is a great feature, I like Americanos.
Negative Product Points
It would be nice to be able to turn the machine completely off, rather than having to keep it in stand-by or ecomomy mode. You can unplug it, but that is a pain.
Detailed Commentary
I just got an S1 and have it up and running. I upgraded from an old Italian single pump and a Francis Francis. I love, love, love the S1 . It is so easy to use and once I got my grinder dialed in, I was able to pull the best espresso I have ever tasted. The foam is incredible, silky and creamy. I love the S1 because I just hit the button and make great espresso every time. No temp surfing as the grouphead has a temp probe to keep it at the optimum temp. It is a very powerful machine. I had no idea what a machine such as the S1 feels like to work with. It is a powerful giant, but very elegant and gentle to operate. Oh, and did I mention QUIET. Yes, very quiet. My other espresso machines seem like toys. I actually thought I was getting really good espresso from the Francis Francis. I had the freshest beans, as well as the grind, dose, tamp and pour absolutely perfected. In comparison, it tastes like swill compared to what the S1 does with even old beans.
A plumbed in machine is a godsend. What a chore to keep filling the tank. Now making espresso is a streamlined joy. i never understood all the hype about plumbed in water supply, rotary pumps, lots of power (mine is the 20 amp version), dual boilers etc. Believe me, it is all true. You will think you are in heaven with this machine. I only have had it up and running for one day. It took maybe 8 tries trying to regulate my grind and just twice to set the volumetric doser before I made a great espresso.
Chris' technicians answered any of my silly questions with grace. I called them at least twice to ask what the extra screens were for, was the spout supposed to screw all the way on to the portafilter and how to use the espro tamper I purchased.
Next quest is learning how to do latte art. Should be a breeze with the silky, microfoam I get from the S1.
Sherry--who will never, ever buy an espresso at a coffee shop or restaurant again!!
Buying Experience
Excellent from the salesperson to the tech support. Chris Coffee knows this machine and it shows.
