Goodbye GS3 | Why I Sold It & Moving On From La Marzocco
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
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Those who follow me on Instagram may have noticed a peculiar story post; I put my GS3 up for sale. Thankfully, it didn't take long for someone to reach out and give it a good home, but with the post came all the questions, "Why are you selling?", "You were so in love with it?". So instead of answering everyone individually, and glossing over what I really want to say I figured I'd make a video saying farewell to my GS3 and the ownership of any La Marzocco espresso machine.
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I respect and applaud your honesty. Not much of that going around these days. As a novice who may never own a high quality espresso machine, but love them anyways, I've always felt that a high majority of the population is all about the money, and not about right from wrong. You don't come across as being part of that train of thought/circle. Good for you, and keep up the good work.
It’s rad you mentioned the Lelit Bianca- I’ve had a Linea Mini, GS3 AV and MP, but I’ve been enjoying the Bianca so much. The flow control, smaller footprint, modular water reservoir, fairly quick warm up time… it’s such a well engineered and fun machine. Thanks for the open mind and consistently insightful and enjoyable content 🤘🏽
I really liked that kind of video. Because everyone always talks about why they buy/bought a machine and not enough about why they sold it, which kind of says you're not satisfied anymore. Helps to remove that bias towards certain manufacturers like La Marzocco
Been talking about selling the Ferrari for the last 12 months, finally did it 😂
That’s good, because let’s face it….Porsche is better.
@@Sprometheus if La Marzocco is the Ferrari of the espresso world, what would the Porsche be in your opinion?
I really think that the analogy of La Marzocco and Ferrari is very fitting.
@@lIlIlIllIlIlIlIIlLelit or Rocket.
@@lIlIlIllIlIlIlIIl Kees Van Der Westen
Since half a year I consider to buy lever machine. It looks like it will be either La Marzocco Leva X 1 group or Kees van der Westen Spiritello, which will be introduced in May in Busan
It all made sense since you compared the LM Mini with the Gaggia Classic and you thought that the Classic made a better coffee in a blind test (with the 9 bar spring mod)
Owning a La Marzocco for home becomes like owning a Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair: timeless, still does it job pretty well, but you own it for the name and the legacy behind it.
Love your content, I feel like you're one of the few creators in the scene that keep everything on point and focus on what they really believe, without any brand related bias
you wont say it, but I will...as a former barista that has worked on La Marzocco machines on the bar in Seattle, La Marzocco to me overprices its machines and fails to innovate to the level many other companies do...they move too slow and try to die on the hill that is their 'name' within the market and thats not good. They are the proverbial stick in the mud in how they do business and their product reflects this. I am not getting something 'more' through paying more for outdated or very rudimentary La Marzocco machines.
La Marzocco GS3 isa great machine. A beautiful machine too. I personally decided to go for ECM Synchronika. Cheaper, but also very well built and reliable.
Funny, I started with a Synchronika and moved to a GS3 MP. Both make great coffee, but the ECM is less of a PITA.
I had several lamarzocco s, and currently work on a decent de1xl. Sure, the decent doesn’t have the most amazing materials and build quality , similar to a Tesla , but it just works flawless every time . I love how the decent will do literally anything you want , including amazing pour overs .
Beautiful explanation. Thanks for your insight. I just ordered the P64 yesterday because of your review. Keep being honest. It’s so needed and so few RUclipsrs have the courage to do it because of the brand endorsements and the gear they get.
Just thought I'd pop in and say I love your new style of content!
Much appreciated! Thanks for sharing that, it’s good to hear!
Looking forward to your spring-lever experience. 👍
Wow, never have such true words been spoken; grinders have a far greater impact to making a good coffee than literally any espresso machine. So true!
I’ve never owned a spring lever machine however one of my favorite machines to use is effectively any La Pavoni lever machine. I have had both professional and europicola. Both great!
They are quirky, not temp stable and probably in the worst of times require upgraded parts to get ‘the best’ out of them, yet it is my most satisfying machine to use and by a long margin. I can only suggest go for a non spring lever machine, maybe like an Olympia or get in line for an Argos, which is bi-springable- it goes with or without. I love my Pavoni. It’s not the coffee but the ritual one needs to go through and once you get it, it’s a bit like a really good dance move.
Get an Olympia and a Bentwood grinder and don’t look back! No spring, please!
My San Remo Cube works really well, solid, E61, great steam, but the Pavoni is way more fun in the hand.
There's a calm tone in the way you speak now than few years back. I quite like and enjoy this treatment more 🙂 good afternoon!
Many great points, especially from a content creator point of view.
On a side note, I see the Lagom 01 in your grinder corner and can't wait to see a full review.
La Mar-no-Spro
Can always count on you with the witty replies haha
Great video Spro - lots to unpick here. As a Linea Mini owner since late last year (and influenced largely by you), I think they're great machines, and they fit perfectly with how I want to make coffee with two small kids. I want rock solid build quality and shot repeatability, and the ability to change a few parameters for lighter-roast SO and darker blended coffees. Home espresso is really maturing now into a more nuanced market, and while 'La Marzocco Logic' (it's great in a cafe so it'll be great at home) still rings true, people are also wanting to tinker more, and I think LM have missed the boat here, and rested on their heritage for too long without innovating. I love your honesty about where you're heading with the channel, and that you're probably getting fussier due to all the machines that come across your bar (where as most of us don't know what we don't know). Keep it up mate!
Nice. I just sold my linea mini that I chose because of your channel. As soon as our kitchen remodel is done I will be purchasing a la marzocco Leva X
You have to follow your heart and those new horizons. I look forward to your future content and all the new discoveries and infotainment (meant in a positive way) that you will experience and share. Thank you, as always.
I’m rooting for a Kees Van Der Westen Spiritello
I completely agree with you here. I never felt that Marzocco was a brand for the home barista. Even with the Micra I just can't see how not giving you volumetrics is acceptable at the price. I would have bought a Decent ages ago but I just feel it doesn't hit the spot when it comes to aesthetics. Though yours looks very nice, I still cant get over the RGB on a coffee machine 😢 And I super excited for you to get in to lever machines. If I had the space, I would absolutely own one, but you saw my setup 😂 As long as I am confined to that kitchen corner, it won't happen
I would love to see your take on either the ACS Vostok (or EVO Leva 2 which is nearly identical internally) or the Nurri Leva. Both are hybrid spring levers that provide a preinfusion function via a pump and use the spring for the rest of the pull. They offer a lot of flexibility on top of the traditional lever setup. I have had had both and wish more people could experience these setups.
I was recently looking for an expresso machine in the 2500-3000$ price range and went for the Lelit Bianca.
Your honest take on it, I think, was what made me go for it after being very undecided for a long time.
And I haven't regretted it a bit.
At 6:59. Wow, a spring lever espresso machine. Never thought I'd hear it but I'm so excited. Asa, you deserve the very the best. Don't you think? You deserve the... Kees van der Westen Spiritello.
I look forward to your reviews of spring lever machines as that may be the route that I go next.
Hey Spro, thanks for the video. I, too, am a former GS3 owner and sold mine last year and bought a SL machine. If you are considering a SL machine, I recommend the Londinium R24. I own one and it is fantastic. Solidly built, reliable, great customer service. A bit pricey (around $4K U.S.) but half the price of the GS3 and, in my opinion, makes more flavorful, more consistent espresso. They also came out with a smaller SL called the Vectus late 2023. Either way, hope you find the right secondary machine. Keep up the great content and stay caffeinated!
How do you get a shot with less than 94c or 201F
Several times I have almost purchased a LaMarzocco. First LM, then actually considering a GS3. I live quite close to the Seattle store. I decided not to drop that much cash at first, though, opting for a LaPavoni Europiccola. There was a learning curve. I already had a good grinder. After a couple of years I bought a Lelit MaraX, because who doesn't need a dual boiler? Me, that's who. I'm the only coffee drinker in the house. I realized after a short amount of time that the MaraX did not make better coffee than the LP, and I sold it. These days, I use the Decent. I love my 9Barista and Cafelat Robot, too. The LP is still here, and still makes coffee once in a while.
I know the modern levers are all the rage today, but I’d love to see your take on some of the older classics and refreshes. The Strega, Alex Leva, Cremina SL, MCAL, Pro 800, and R24 are all underrepresented on RUclips.
With so many more modern machines coming out, I think it’s crazy to get a top tier LM. The machines like meticulous and decent are the way of the future.
I bought a heavily modified strega last year with pid grouphead and added pressure gauges. It’s fantastic
Planning on modding mine.
No need to PID the boiler?
I do want to add a pressure release (full shot pressure gauge) like the ‘knukkel’ guy did.
For the price and if you can tinker, I think it’s one of the more compelling spring lever machines.
@@nissanguy16 Strega isnt filling the group from boiler, so boiler PID isnt a need. But pressure gauge for group head is.
@@Horologiist right, it’s a HX, just making sure it stays stable for you with only the heater cartridges being controlled.
Do you have pressure reading throughout the entire shot or only the first few mm of piston travel?
Since it isn’t the same as a LSM group, we have to do some machining to get full shot pressure reading, and if we want, a relief valve.
Planning to mod mine pretty soon too. I was thinking of grouphead PID, new lower pressure pump with a pulsor, vaccum relief valve to drip tray and maybe adding a pre-infusion pressure gauge.
@@VinDub18 I added a pulsar as well as some sound-deadening insulation per one of the forums on home-barista. They work great at reducing pump noise, but eventually I just plumbed mine in so that there's no pump at all and just preinfusing with line pressure. I did add a switch so that I can activate the pump if I want to use >3bar preinfusion for lighter coffees, but I prefer the Neapolitan roasts currently. You can see what I did on home-barista in the "Espresso Cart: Goodbye Plumbed-In" forum.
As an owner of an E61, then Linea Mini and now GS3 MP, I completely understand your reasons for parting with La Marzocco, price for features being "front and center". Still, I think you're in a different situation than most of us. And what you like coffee-wise (I'm more into traditional espresso than 3rd wave, though I like dabbling and trying new coffees) has an effect on your machine of choice. The mouthfeel and shot quality of La Marzocco is second to none. The paddle gives me a capability to do some tweeking of shots without too much complication. But the built-in reservoir is an issue, and repeatability of shots for lignt roasts is not easy. Fir many people, the biggest issue is cost.
BTW, has Decent solved the "mouthfeel issue" yet?
Hey I enjoyed your message several months ago about my LM Micra and thought I’d give you an update. The machine is awesome. Love it. I, like you enjoy my espresso more traditional so imagine my surprise when Tim Wendleboe from Oslo Norway a known “light roaster” had some of my favorite espresso roasts of this year. Highly recommend checking out a bag or two of his espressos. The consistency of his roasts make them a dream to dial in and while I typically enjoy the more traditional profile for espresso and honestly the more affordable coffee his coffee’s and roasts are worth trying. Especially when you dive into exactly what makes his coffee quality so special.
Thank you my friend.
Of course! Thanks for watching.
Not a spring lever but you should try CT2 Strietman. Great lever machine
Thats what i would get as lever too. So analogue. Totally different to the modern fancy machines. Its beautiful also.
Meanwhile, the Bianca in the background undergoing surgery 😅
I know right? Of course right after I did the year review it sprung a leak on an inlet tube coming from the pump. I’ve got the part, but haven’t had the time to make the repair.
It's tough. I still love my now 8 year old mini, but I get it. The Bianca and others are are great machines - and there are relatively few compromises. You're not giving up quality to save money.
I also think that for most of us -- a machine provides joy in some form, and we can't justify rotating so quickly, usually. Or if we do, it's about the fun of something new and not the value necessarily.
But all of this is because LM has clout. If you had a Faema or an Eagle One for nearly as long, I doubt there'd be quite as much interest. Maybe a Slayer...lol. Anyway, all's fair. You get to have fun, and get to make fun content and we all get to benefit from that too!
Hi Sprometheus, I enjoy all your videos. Maybe you could have summarized your farewell to LM in a short intro…. No need to expand SO much into why. It gives the impression that your love for espresso is more about the machine than the experience altogether. In short, it’s perfectly OK buy and sell whatever you want, without judgement. It would be fun if you brought in a simple Gaggia or Rancilio, and pulled some awesome espressos to show some newbies that you can in fact get great espresso with knowledge, meaning being creative with what’s at hand… just a thought!
Upgraditis is always on my mind, but a Flair 58 with a good grinder will produce excellent espresso that rivals that of machines costing 10x more. I’m quite satisfied with my 58 and for now, it’s my “end game” setup.
I have the same setup, and yes sometimes I would like a high end machine but when you can control the outcome of every shot it is hard to beat the Flair 58!
You guys have no clue what you are missing out on
@@Justbein_honest descaling and backflushing?
Makes total sense.
It funny because I’m the opposite honestly. Used E61’s for many years finally upgraded to the Linea Micra and a group head that won’t give huge swings in flavor after my shots in a day 30 minutes and hour apart etc. The ability to replicate my shots perfectly is so much more advantageous to me. I’ll do the fun explorations in coffee in pour over’s. Espresso and milk drinks I just want consistent 2-3 times a day every day.
But I’m also not the type to keep buying I want this and this experience and I want to keep it for as long as possible.
Was that E61 machine a heat exchanger or a dual boiler?
@@RakanWD I’ve had 3 different what I’d classify as “real” machines.1st was a Expobar office leva heat exchange that I used for so long I had completely rebuilt it. But getting into better coffee’s than Lavazza after many years of drinking it exposed it’s flaws. Then went with a Profitec 600 which was supposed to be my end game but ended up not crazy about it. Always had issues with my 2nd and 3rd cup being different. Dug and dug learning more and more information about the machines and came to the eventual conclusion that while the E61 is absolutely incredible and has a whole host of benefit’s, the issue is with where the group head is located. It’s a reflection on the design limitations of when it came out.
I have remineralized RO water in my house so as you can probably tell I’m fully in. Many people an E61 would be fine for Especially if you are only making one cup a day or maybe once in the morning and once later on many hours later. For me a person who drinks coffee practically all morning long it was a deal breaker. If you are someone that loves to tinker with flow controls and things like that trying to get the perfect shot modern versions are a pretty awesome design. If you are like me and just want your great coffee repeated several times in the morning perfectly without fuss a Built in Group head is a must.
You don’t necessarily need to go with LaMarzocco, Todd Salzman ( the tech for many years behind Whole Latte Love started an awesome company Dalla Corte who makes awesome machines solving this known E61 issue (once you travel down the rabbit hole you learn the intricacies but unfortunately they are more expensive than La Marzocco Linea Micra was what I ended up with…had I the money to splurge I would have went with their machine.)
Not to say La Marzocco is perfect it isn’t the app is mediocre, and the parts are expensive so for me a person who works on his machine himself it does make it a tough pill to swallow considering how easily E61 parts are accessible and the price for them but I’m chasing having the best coffee experience I can afford and La Marzocco makes every cup the same.
As a GS3 owner (and previous LMLM), I can say you made a great choice. The Micra consistently gets great reviews for consistancy (haha), even among the other (and more expensive) LM choices. That's saying a lot--when I went from my E61 to the Mini, I got huge leaps in mouthfeel quality, steaming capabilities, and consistancy. I thought about "downgrading" to the Micra based on the rave reviews, but I had the ability to get the GS3 MP to satisfy my desire to play a bit with flow. You made a great choice, and your machine should last many years, something I would not feel confident saying about many others!
I bought a used gs3 coming from a decade of la pavoni levers, my thinking was that I wanted to explore deeper into the software of coffee with a really stable platform. I think of it as a subway train for espresso, you can do exactly the same thing twice.
That does make it less interesting as a machine, once you’ve understood what it does it just does it. Especially to create machine contents on, I understand perfectly.
My journey is also into the machine, renovating it, but that’s a different story. 😊
You made a great choice! I love my GS3 MP----I have no intentions of trading it:).
The Nurri Leva is such a beautiful machine! I've seen others discuss it on RUclips. Seems like it gives a lot of control over the shot despite being a lever machine. It even allows for pressure release so that there's less waste/clean-up required. You can stop the shot whenever you want without having to pull the cup out from under an active stream.
Nah, it’s ugly.
Nurri is a great lever machine, but unfortunately has 54mm group, what means to collect every new piece of things for coffee distribution. So I rather consider La Marzocco Leva X or Kees van der Westen Spiritello (will be introduced in May in Busan)
@@PaoloItaliano-k9v right, the group size is definitely a con. Although, the Nurri Leva is about $10k USD cheaper than the La Marzocco Leva X.
The cost of buying a new 54mm tamper, distributor, screens, baskets etc. is but a fraction of the money you have to put up for a
KVDW Spiritello over a Nurri Leva. From personal experience, transitioning from 58mm to 54mm extras will set you back between $350 to $500.
The Nurri Leva retails from $4500 to $5500 (depending on exterior finish).
The KVDW Speedster retails for $13500, so the Spiritello will probably be in that ballpark.
In other words, it is hardly the 54mm tamper etc. that is gonna break your bank…
@@PaoloItaliano-k9v It is more 55 mm. But it gives less chanaling because the puck is dicker
Kudos and respect for making this decision and video: I appreciate it massively! All the nest on your new coffee journey chapter! ✌️✌️✌️
Strada in beach color and two Lagom P 64, done!
Sounds like you might want to get an Argos machine, I do enjoy the La Pavoni Europiccola if you want a manual lever machine.
To me, and for most people I think it's actually better to have LESS gear (or switch less frequently), I usually have too many grinders and different espresso machines and it makes deciding which to use more tricky :p BUT also I think it's better to get really familiar with one machine and know it's quirks and capabilities so you can work with those. Also for grinders most of my burrs I've been using have probably been unseasoned and I'm starting to believe it does have an effect at least with some grinders/burrs.
this video doesn't glorify the gs3, it deserved a good bye for being such a huge part of this channels beginnings
Don't know how you can say "LaMarzocco-less" with a straight face. 'Consistency, repeatability, and control' sums it up. You're doing the right thing, going forward. You can always come back if you want to.
I think you made a great point about espresso machine purchases not being entirely made within reason and one i've been thinking about for a while is that people don't necessarily buy into a machine, but rather buy into a brand. I think that's one of the reasons why some people will get so vehemently worked up when someone is down talking a machine they purchased because it feels like an attack on the brand and their investment.
Also, I think you should get an Olympia Express Cremina on the bar at some point. From what i've heard it's a classic and still one of the best spring lever espresso machines available today.
Understandable! Luckily, i'm not there with my mini yet! Still very happy and having fun with it. But new machines are always fun no matter what “end game” machine you land on
Not a spring lever but I'd love your thoughts on the Meticulous
You Sir, does an amazing job on this channel, thank you.
La Marzocco is definitely worth the price, especially considering their reputation for longevity. That being said, it's likely a bigger issue for a commercial application vs. home use.
Thanks for keeping it real Spro and not allowing anyone own you.
Lever machines are a blast. You are far more involved in the process. 🎉
Good for you on keeping it fresh. I, as a mere coffee layman, need creators like you to help me figure out what kit to get. I (and I think I represent the vast majority of your viewers) don’t have the budget to be buying 4 different kinds of grinders or espresso machines, just to figure out which one is best for me. Or to keep them all in a “I feel like this kind profile today,” kind of way. Nor do I have any kind of upgrade-itis. Example: my Breville 450XL just died. It is, I assume, a rebadged Wilfa Svart. I got it a dozen years ago for $120CAD, which seemed extremely expensive at the time. Only with its death, am I now looking for a replacement that will be an upgrade. I was seriously considering the Varia VS3 with upgraded Hypernova Ultra burrs as it seems to be fairly high clarity/acidity for a conical and Gen 2 seems to have the major bugs solved. I do wish they would sell the damn thing with your choice of burrs installed for a little less money than buying the second set extra, but I digress. The recent release of DF54 has really caught my eye. If I knew for sure that aftermarket burrs would eventually be available, it would be a total no-brainer. I think a flat burr, electric, would nicely complement my J-MAX.
As a middle aged man with wife, two university aged kids and a mortgage, I’m highly unlikely to ever get a multi-thousand dollar coffee anything. But seeing reviews of such equipment is fun in a “Top Gear” kind of way. So keep them coming. AND the VS3 and DF54 level reviews. The low end stuff is is just as useful to me, and I’m sure many others, as the high end stuff.
And don’t feed the Trolls. Referring to the unsubscriber earlier.
Looking forward to a spring lever machine showing up on your channel!
Spring lever...Yess. I would love to hear you view on how well the Decent can imitate a good spring lever.
Thank you for this video.
The importance of the grinder cannot be stressed enough. But there are two points I'd like to make.
The first is that we shouldn't dismiss the benefits of the espresso machine. You only have to compare what comes out of an E61 group with what comes out of a Rossi group (same grinder, same coffee, trying to extract at the same temperature, etc.), or even with what comes out of a Robot, to see the difference. Does it all lie in the nuances of extraction pressure? .... hum hum, there's work for the experts.
My second comment concerns the grinder tests. I find that the tests posted on YT are too timid and don't help the user make a choice. There's an inflation of grinders at the moment, sometimes at very attractive prices. But what are they really worth in terms of what you get in a cup? Because while the ritual is obviously something to be taken into account, I think that many users, at least those who watch this type of video, are prepared to make a few sacrifices if there is a qualitative gain in the cup.
Yeah having a lever machine makes sense. I think it's a practical call.
Yeah, I think paired with the something like the Decent a spring lever would be a great way to maintain that connection to the process that the cold, calculating DE1 doesn’t provide.
Do you have fears of reliability with the decent?
Profitec 800 is a good lever to try, i new a change was in the air when i saw your glowing review of the profitec 600. Was just about to order one and they brought out some new model's, so I'm waiting again to see what else comes along, for now i have my eye on the prof 700 drive but it's more money again😢😮👍😎🇬🇧
Change in the air indeed! And yeah, I’m sure you’d like the 600 or the 700(Drive). It seems the only major difference is the 700 has a rotary pump, which is quieter and more consistent pressure wise but I don’t think can make better espresso.
I've also heard that the heat up time for the Drive is much faster. I think it's like 15 minutes compared to the 30-45 people usually need for larger E61 machines.
Kind of sharing the same boat with you. My primary machine is a La Marzocco Strada EP 1.
I like this machine very much. And this is difficult to me not to turn the machine in each single day.
Recently I am thinking to invest a second machine for some reasons. The first machine in my mind to invest is a Linea Micra - a simple, small machine.
However, when I see your review of Desent DE1 XL. You changed my mind.
What makes me wanting to get the Decent instead of a Micra, is the “handy” availability of the Decent.
Decent has full control of all variety to pour a shot; however, it can also be as simple as “hit and go”. This super simplicity hits my need.
Hi. I’ve just bought a strada EP1. Can I ask a question as I cannot get the boilers to fill. When you first switch the machine on how do you select the “first installation” procedure as I cannot for the life of me select it. Every time I press enter with the knob it just switches on. I’m scared to burn out the elements lol.
@@obsessedcloset2638
These is an option of using water reservoir. If you do use the reservoir instead of direct pump in. Please make sure to choose this option under the technician menu.
Unfortunately, my Strada EP1 wasn’t come as a brand new machine. I bought it from a cafe which was being used for nine months for 30% of the original price.
Would love to see your clinical and thorough take on a newcomer like the Argos. Modern take on a classic dipper style send very on brand for this channel.
Plot Twist! Spro buys a Leva X
So from a content creator’s perspective I can absolutely understand. There’s a high demand for testing different machines and seeing variety. Personally, I‘d like to see more coffee content actually focus on coffee itself: i.e. more deep dives on specific coffees themselves, their origin country and local production area, the varietal, the specific roast and how to tweak recipes to highlight or to really nicely balance their attributes. Essentially the behind the scenes of what happens until a barista presents a coffee at the brewer‘s cup. But there probably isn’t enough interest and a lack of sponsorship for this.
On La Marzocco: I have the feeling that their prime was a few years ago and they haven’t been able to keep up with the increased pace in development in the past few years. It shows specifically in how slowly their app develops. They are still coming from the hardware manufacturer perspective and aren’t fully exploiting what their machines are capable of. Be it for price politics or for a lack of ability to develop this. But it’s pretty humbling to see what a community of developers has been able to get out of the Gaggia Classic with the Gaggiuino mods and meanwhile La Marzocco is selling a new scale for brew by weight. I was hoping to see brew by time and a better pre-brewing function (let’s call it brew pause) that doesn’t release the pressure by now.
I have a Londinium R24 spring lever and I really like it. It's pretty much the opposite of the Decent. There is no screen to see the temperature. There are no variables to control besides pre-infusion pressure. The pressure profiling will always be the same, that of the spring. But the results are very consistent and no fuss. I am often able to dial the grind within 2-3 shots. As you said, it's more about the grinder than the espresso machine. What having only 2 adjustable variables has meant for me is that I get to focus on more my preparation and experience drinking my espresso. It be great to hear what you think of Londinium's minimalist mechanical approach. I think the steam power is very good too. Also wondering how a R24 compares to La Marzocco's steam power.
I understand where you are coming from being a channel and wanting to have more cycles of machines coming through. As customers I feel that the espresso community is extremely focused on equipment. Everyone always wants new, better, more expensive items and tools. I would like to see a little bit more of love for what we have instead of continuously being on the hedonic treadmill as it really hurts the objective of just enjoying what you have.
Yeah i feel you. There is a really materialistic aspect to coffee, but it’s the same with everyone else. It’s one of the many unfortunate sides to late stage capitalism.
I often struggle with my place in that “hedonic treadmill” as you put it. I just enjoy new toys, and I think the way I’m able to make myself feel a little better about it is that I pride myself on producing fair and realistic reviews on gear that often in the land of paid reviews and affiliate marketing is hard to find.
Can’t wait to see what you do with a spring lever. Have been wanting one for quite some time.
Look, don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of owning a Za Marzocco machine, there’s just certain design elements I cannot get past. Like the GS3, it’s beautiful although that revolting blue interface with those plastic buttons. WHY! And the steam lever placement! WHY.
Nice explanation Spro. I guess, as you mention, from your channels perspective and content creation standpoint, it makes sense. As a GS/3 owner, I think you'd enjoy a lever machine! I'll look forward to seeing what pops up next 😎
The comment about the importance of the grinder is interesting. Having a Lelit Anna PID and an Eureka grinder, I wonder if getting an extra conical grinder would bring more variety than upgrading to a Bianka?
i do not know how easy it is to purchase Kees van der Westen machines in the states, but would love to see you test out the new Spiritello!
Oh yes. I’d love one. They are available-ish, but parts are hard to come by and I’d have to get a 220v plug in my studio as they don’t make any home-focused option.
I detest 90% of the "espresso" site on YT, but you are not a total dickhead about how you review. Good job!!
Bianca yes, but also Synchonika yes. Not sure why your takes have been so different on them. They seem both great for high end home espresso, but I get the idea ECM is a bit better. Could be wrong of course.
I get it and if you think it's the right move, then it is. I own a Lelit Elizabeth and it does everything I want and haven't considered selling it because I'm not in your position (content creator), but I do often wonder what other machines are like. I have gone through a few grinders though.
Get a la lapavoni and or mcal to kick it off. You’ll have a great baseline to compare against the spring levers with the Pav.
I always thought it was surprising that you didn't have a Decent. Now that you have one and hear you say that it'll be sticking around is an interesting change of tune.
He’s had a decent forever.
Love your honesty bro and couldn’t agree more on what you said. I guess it also that status quo effect hahaha. Anyway all the best bro and keep on sharing your expertise we love it ❤🎉✊💥
What is the best espresso machine and why is it the spring lever machine? :) For real though, I have been using spring levers for the better part of almost 10 years now. Had the old Pro 800 and now the updated Pro 800 since 2022. Can confidently say (in my opinion of course), that the Pro 800 is the best lever spring machine out there. Pure analog experience with a PID and a timeless look. I'll never go back to non lever machines, there is just something truly special about levers.
My dream setup I think would be an Olympia Cremina and a Decent.
And to your point the grinder is just as important if not more important than the espresso machine. I just hope that Zerno I just bought but won’t receive till December is the last grinder that I buy. Maybe I should just get the P64 now that it is easier to get…
Your Rancilio Silvia Pro X Vs gs3 video made me purchase the Silvia Pro X and I'm not disappointed one bit
Amazing beverages
Followed a lot of your content. Mid way through this video i was hoping you'd get into lever spring machines as a secondary. Glad you was thinking the same😅
Profitec, bezerra and londiniums like vectis but you'll probably enjoy the r24 more for it's pre infusion.
Speaking directly to the mini, I agree that it’s super expensive for very basic functionality. But, what ‘better’ saturated groups are in the same price range? I do understand the mini isn’t a completely saturated group but what else is there, there’s a plethora of E61 choices but not much else that I know of.
LM has always been as much about being a status symbol as about other things. LM are good machines but at the same time the brand have as you said been placed on a pedestal where it really doesn’t belong or can even live up to. It’s no better than many machines at half the cost, it’s main advantage is its capability in servicing crowds as it’s consistent at that and have the volume for it, but most never really put it to such use. Most users pull perhaps one - two shots in succession and for that basically all can do that successfully. Buying a cheaper allows better grinders within the same budget and as you say it just matters more, for anyone exploring Decent makes much more sense as it can do so much more. LM are still good machines but at the same time not necessarily the best value for money.
I feel that the Bianca (which I own) has a better designed flow control than the GS3, I guess that the results in the cup are similar, but the machine is much cheaper.
Hardware is good. Move onto beans. Especially GOOD beans. Most have their end game machines or near it but many are looking for really good beans. I know I am. Yes I have Temple and Blue Bottle Coffee in my city and many more but perhaps you can find subscription coffee that are good and worth mentioning. Maybe roasting machines next? Doesn't always have to be top tier machines. Go low sometimes like a DeLonghi dedica or a Bambino plus for those not at the top of the food chain. Have fun get back to basics of what the coffee journey is about. You don't have anything else to flex about or to prove. You've been there done that.
Cheers.
What high-end unit would you suggest I research to replace my LM GS3 MP?
Congrats Spro! My dream is to have something like a Faema Jubilee and and Nurri Lever machine…just to compare the two shots.
Specialty cafes in Melbourne now use Decent machines lined up in a row that produce much better quality espresso than any La Marzocco hands down. Decent is not for the entry level prosumer. Investment in the grinder is even more important again.
My big problem with LM machines are that they are all practically made with commercial parts, made to be abused and are therefor expensive... But no home owner really needs that, a cafe pulls more shots in a year than a single home user doing regular use could hope to do in a life time of owning it, it's just not needed
I'm excited to see new Spr-ontent with different machines. I don't know if it's up your alley, but I would love to hear your take on the Odyssey Argos, which can be set up as spring lever and direct lever.
Decent in the background says everything…
Looking forward to see what spring lever machine(s) will be featured on this channel 😎 I am currently considering a Profitec Pro 800 (as one of several very different options 😅)
What are your top 5 grinders? Espresso &/or Pour-Over?
Gotta squeeze better juice!
That's quite the body-slam on La Marzocco!
I would love to see the Advanced Coffee Solution Vostok 1 group here. I think it is one of the best in terms of quality/price ratio. But also aesthetically (with all the customizations it offers) it is beautiful!
Yes, join the spring lever ‘gang’
Strega
Londinium
Alex Leva
Vostok
KVDW Idrocompresso
LM Leva X
Maybe the Argos from Odyssey Espresso might be interesting, since it is pretty easy to switch between spring lever and fully manual lever - meaning numerous possibilities to play around and broaden your horizon.
Could he tricky to get your hands on one though ...
Spring lever, absolutely perfect, fun love story, cheers
Yes! Manument coming 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
When I bought a machine I couldn't justify the money for a gs3 and got a dual boiler e61 and a nice grinder. I'm happy with the decision.
And now I just feel even better about it.
Interesting video, I always wondered why you went with a GS3 and not straight to the Decent after you sold the Mini. As a Bianca owner I’ve always wondered what the difference really is - besides price. Have a look at the Unica espresso machine, I saw it a while back and found it interesting. The guy behind it popped the hood and revealed its piston driven, so not quite a spring lever but the results are excellent and operation is silent. I’m sure he would loan it to you if you reached out. I have his card somewhere if you need an intro.
Was that a Jeremy Clarkson/Top Gear easter egg toward the end?