In case anyone is considering purchase of (another) S1 -- Chris' Coffee will be offering a special deal at the end of this month!
La Spaziale Vivaldi II $1895
includes Timer $185 value, Softening System $105 value, Bottomless portafilter $59 value
http://www.home-barista.com/forums/hb-s ... html#41389
Special deal on S1
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Niko
Niko - I think you need an S1 for each room. Just think of all the travel time you'll save between the machines and your guests.
I'm convinced conical is better, and was tempted even at 3x the price of the Macap. But the Kony is HUGE -- almost 26" high! My cabinets are about 16", so I won't even be able to fit the Macap (17") under them. My plan right now is to either cut down the hopper, or just remove the hopper and grind per shot!
I've been using (don't laugh) a KitchenAid Proline. When it works, it works pretty well -- but the grind is a bit inconsistent due to play in the burr holder, and it frequently just starts grinding too coarse because it allows beans to get stuck near the center of the burrs (where there are no "teeth"), forcing the burrs apart and causing a coarse grind. Take it apart, clean everything out, and it works good again for a while -- but you never know when it is going to put out a 10-second shot that sprays every-which-way from the bottomless portafilter.
I'm really looking forward to the Macap!
I was tempted.... I've been looking for a grinder upgrade, and finally placed an order last weekend for a black Macap stepless from Chris'. Out of stock, but should be here in a week or two.jackiechang wrote:The Kony is actually quite tempting.
I'm convinced conical is better, and was tempted even at 3x the price of the Macap. But the Kony is HUGE -- almost 26" high! My cabinets are about 16", so I won't even be able to fit the Macap (17") under them. My plan right now is to either cut down the hopper, or just remove the hopper and grind per shot!
I've been using (don't laugh) a KitchenAid Proline. When it works, it works pretty well -- but the grind is a bit inconsistent due to play in the burr holder, and it frequently just starts grinding too coarse because it allows beans to get stuck near the center of the burrs (where there are no "teeth"), forcing the burrs apart and causing a coarse grind. Take it apart, clean everything out, and it works good again for a while -- but you never know when it is going to put out a 10-second shot that sprays every-which-way from the bottomless portafilter.
I'm really looking forward to the Macap!
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Niko
Macap Rocks
I've now had the Macap stepless for 8 days -- WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Not one sink shot in 8 days!
With the Kitchenaid (always on the same setting), about 40% of the time I would get a good 25-30sec pour, 20% of the time it would choke the S1, and 30% of the time it would spray everywhere and run through in 10sec. I was attributing the bulk of the blame for this to myself -- I assumed it was mainly a lack of skill at distribution and tamping.
It took me about 5 shots to get the Macap "dialed in", and I haven't had a sink shot since. I would never have believed the Macap would be this much bettter than the KitchenAid. Absolutely amazing!
...Scott
With the Kitchenaid (always on the same setting), about 40% of the time I would get a good 25-30sec pour, 20% of the time it would choke the S1, and 30% of the time it would spray everywhere and run through in 10sec. I was attributing the bulk of the blame for this to myself -- I assumed it was mainly a lack of skill at distribution and tamping.
It took me about 5 shots to get the Macap "dialed in", and I haven't had a sink shot since. I would never have believed the Macap would be this much bettter than the KitchenAid. Absolutely amazing!
...Scott
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Niko
That's nice to hear another good MACAP story.
I also have the MACAP stepless and a Mazzer Mini E doserless (stepless also) and I can tell you that the Mazzer is no better at grinding than the MACAP. The grind quality is identical so it's only a matter of personal preference and you can save $$ with the MACAP.
I love that 2-finger adjustment on the MACAP, the Mazzer is a JOKE, it's a stepless JOKE that has gone on too far and as far as I'm concerned the Mini would get tossed out the window when you compare the two for this feature.
Only problem is that the Mazzer would easily survive the fall since it's built like a tank, it can probably take a direct hit from a mortar and survive.
I also have the MACAP stepless and a Mazzer Mini E doserless (stepless also) and I can tell you that the Mazzer is no better at grinding than the MACAP. The grind quality is identical so it's only a matter of personal preference and you can save $$ with the MACAP.
I love that 2-finger adjustment on the MACAP, the Mazzer is a JOKE, it's a stepless JOKE that has gone on too far and as far as I'm concerned the Mini would get tossed out the window when you compare the two for this feature.
Only problem is that the Mazzer would easily survive the fall since it's built like a tank, it can probably take a direct hit from a mortar and survive.
Yep, grind quality is great and the adjustment is soooo precise. Could be a bit of a pain to go between drip grind and espresso, so I'm just keeping the Kitchenaid for the once or twice a week when I brew drip -- it does a good job there. That way I can keep the Macap tuned for espresso.
It's also good to see the competition that Macap brings to this product category... Hopefully that will lead to innovation and better prices from both vendors! I'm sure Macap has to be considering a timed-doserless version to compete directly with the Mini-E-doserless.
It's also good to see the competition that Macap brings to this product category... Hopefully that will lead to innovation and better prices from both vendors! I'm sure Macap has to be considering a timed-doserless version to compete directly with the Mini-E-doserless.
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Niko
They already have one out. MACAP was showing it at last week's SCAA show. It doesn't look like it could compete with the Mazzer though, for some reason it's just not there yet. As soon as it's available from Chris', I might take a look at it and consider just for the hell of it since it does look a little odd. I love that Italian 70's Porn Star look of the MACAP chrome and tinted hopper! Yeah Baby!!ScottW wrote:I'm sure Macap has to be considering a timed-doserless version to compete directly with the Mini-E-doserless.
The Mazzer looks too classy...
They should get together and have a kid and call it "MAZAP", it would be the best grinder in the world: Cord located underneath, 2-finger stepless adjustment, chromed all the way and a pimped out hopper lid with flames going down the sides. Yeah!
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Niko
I thought it was just like mine, but you may be correct in assuming the larger size since the spout looks smaller, therefore, making the grinder look like one of the bigger full size models.
Or, they made the spout smaller on the smaller grinder, I'm hoping this is the case since they need to compete with the Mazzer Mini E Doserless.
Or, they made the spout smaller on the smaller grinder, I'm hoping this is the case since they need to compete with the Mazzer Mini E Doserless.
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Niko
I couldn't imagine the MACAP dosing thingy raising the price more than $75 US dollars, I mean they're not like Mazzer where any improvement demands a second mortgage on the house. Don't get wrong, I love my Mini but man it was expensive.
So in the end, I'm guessing around $559 - $579 for the MACAP E Doserless, anything higher than that I'd recommend the Mazzer all the way.
One last note, the Euro is killing us! Have you noticed the recent price hikes on European things?
So in the end, I'm guessing around $559 - $579 for the MACAP E Doserless, anything higher than that I'd recommend the Mazzer all the way.
One last note, the Euro is killing us! Have you noticed the recent price hikes on European things?