Yeah Baby! This is an espresso machine Ferrari, with performance to match spectacular looks. But unlike a Ferrari it's also value for money.
Positive Product Points
We designed our newly renovated home around this machine and it hasn't let us down in looks or performance. It's quite as a mouse; has all the power you'd want at home (especially the steam wand); and with the volumetric doseage and temperature setting, I can pull shots exactly how I like them.
Negative Product Points
So far, not a lot of downside. Read many early reviews and La Spaz seem to have fixed all the little flaws. Maybe some of the finishes aren't as exact as I'd like, but that'd be all. Also, because it has a 53mm basket (rather than the more common 58mm) I had to change my grinder as it didn't fit under the Rocky Grinder. I bought a Compak K-3 (which I'll review later).
Detailed Commentary
Probably not had long enough and not enough of a coffee "geek" to make too detailed comments but I can say, it was easy to install - even for a not very handy man. It looks a million bucks. It is quite so I don't wake my family when I make my morning brew. I like the ability to "custom" the settings to my taste - temperature, doseage length, etc. I keep switched on (in economy mode during the day and overnight) so i can have my morning and evening without waiting for it to heat up.
It has made the whole espresso-at-home experience a lot quicker and more enjoyable. Although i still need to learn how to get a decent froth in the 12-seconds it takes to heat the milk.
Buying Experience
Bought it from the importer in Australia. It did take a lot of hassling from me for them to import one (prior to that they had never brought one into Oz) - about six-months in fact. But when it arrived they tested it and then invited me out to their state-of-the-art roasting facility for a guided tour and it was a pleasure dealing with them.
