Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Evan on January 15, 2009 at 8:51am

Haven't used a Sibilla, but the Linea is a great way to go for many reasons. They are cheaper than many other machines, easy to use, parts are readily available because of their popularity, and finding capable techs to work on them is easy as well. Also, if you want to add any modifications down the line it is easy to do as well.
We use a Synesso Cyncra in our shop, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Not that we have needed to do too much in the way of repair, but it has been very helpful that our coffee roaster is very familiar with these machines.
As for how many groups...I think two is enough in most shops, unless you are going to be a very high volume shop, or use one group specifically for decaf, or if you are going to do two different espresso at the same time. More often than not I see shops with three or four group machines and they only use one or two groups. Something to think about as extra groups mean extra problems, and the potential for higher utilities associated with keeping the machine running.
Good luck, and I hope some of this is useful.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on January 19, 2009 at 9:01am

Ahh, the first spro machine. Choose carefully grasshopper. You get one chance.
Janice, this is what a friend told me a year or so ago when we started up. I wish I had spent more time like your doing. With the thought in mind that this is the heart of your business make sure it will work for awhile with out requiring lot's of out lay for repairs. How do you do this you ask?
Just like you are now. Ask a lot of questions. I personally bought a 2 group Faema E61 Jubiliee off the Seattle Coffee fest show floor for 40% show mark down price. About 7K.
I would buy that 3 group LM in a heart beat. I know the repair guys here personally. They would rather work on a LM any day to any other espresso machine out there. If you want I will get you his email address and you can ask questions more specific than I can answer here for you.
Check and ask for references from the guy who wants to sell you the LM first. He will respect you for it. If he doesn't you have the wrong guy.
Machines are machines but it is the people behind them that matter. Just like a coffee shop. People will come or not because of the service you present them.
Best Wishes with your new venture. I hope you enjoy your self as much as I am.
Joseph Robertson
JoLinda's Coffee and Wine shop

Permalink Reply by Michael Canton on August 20, 2009 at 11:45am

I know that I want the best in my new cafe opening up in November but I also know that I can't afford everything I want. Might I suggest that you lease the equipment and get exactly what you want? I want a La Marzocco Linea 3-grp but knew I couldn't afford it until the owner of one of the most successful restaurants in town suggested leasing. After looking into it, I have now realized that I can afford the exact equipment I want. Yes, you are spending more money in the long run but the quality will be there! Good luck!

Permalink Reply by David Fell on September 22, 2009 at 12:02pm

Janice,
I have been a barista extensively on 3 different brand machines; the Marzocco Linea 3-group; Simonelli Aurelia 4-group and at our kiosk location a 2-group Conti Xeos (If you count our single group Oscar we use for catering events, then 4 machines) but anyway. The double-boiler system on the Marzocco is amazing and legendary but ergonomically I lean very heavily towards our Simonelli Aurelia. The temp and bars are extremely stable and pull amazing shots and steams beautiful micro-foamed milk and tends to be more than a little more budget friendly than the Marzocco or Synesso. I have not used an Astoria machine except for the one in the workshop lab at ABC school so I can't authoritatively speak to it but it does have a long and dedicated following. The barists I have moved over to the store with the Simonelli from the Marzocco have whined at first but after time have said, with all due respect, they would rather not go back to the Linea.
Good luck and best of success to you.

Permalink Reply by greg doma on September 22, 2009 at 2:17pm

Janice,

I totally get your dilemma. The Rio/Astoria/CMA machines are ok--I have a bunch of accounts that bought those and the shots are fair. The Linea is the gold standard--a little less forgiving on the shots than the Aurelia with the soft-pre-infusion plug out but nevertheless awesome. The Linea with a PID mod is a sweet option. You could probably get a two group Aurelia semi-auto for somewhere near the same price as the LM rebuild? They go for $5100 in my neck of the woods. Good luck--dual boiler all the way.

Greg

Permalink Reply by Robert Williams on October 25, 2009 at 8:16pm

What kind of budget are we talking about here? I cannot recommend more than enough a Synesso Sabre (Unless your barista's are of a niche quality and can handle the Cyncra under the pump), or LM Mistral.

What does your roaster stock? Do they supply machines/grinders as an option for their accounts? Nonetheless, I have a Linear (pid) two group sitting on my kitchen bench, marvelous machine. Honestly, the thing will last longer than a cockroach in a holocaust, and usually refurbished machines are better than they came out of a factory, hah! Only issues I have on them, is temp stability and back pressure on the steam wands. However, not purging the wand before you steam your milk would take care of that issue.

greg doma said:

Janice,

I totally get your dilemma. The Rio/Astoria/CMA machines are ok--I have a bunch of accounts that bought those and the shots are fair. The Linea is the gold standard--a little less forgiving on the shots than the Aurelia with the soft-pre-infusion plug out but nevertheless awesome. The Linea with a PID mod is a sweet option. You could probably get a two group Aurelia semi-auto for somewhere near the same price as the LM rebuild? They go for $5100 in my neck of the woods. Good luck--dual boiler all the way.

Greg