Hello! I've been wanting to upgrade from my current machine for a while and now starting to explore possibilities. Current set up is a Eureka Specialita and a Gaggia Evolution. Both my wife and I favour milk based drinks, for me I have normal beans and dairy, my wife has decaf and oatmilk. Also make hot chocolate using steamed milk and enjoy a straight shot most days. At weekends I often make 3 or 4 milk drinks for visitors. The Gaggia really struggles with this, just doesn't have enough steam for more than a single drink. We end up having our drinks 20 minutes apart which is rather annoying. I want to be able to make a few drinks back to back and also have more control over machine parameters, pressure and temperature, so as I can start experimenting with my brews. Also need to be able to steam more than 120ml of milk without a 20 minute wait. Been reading a lot and I'm fairly sure a dual boiler would be best for us, though cost is a consideration. Also aesthetics, I like that look of stainless and knobs. Not a plain box. I love the E61 look. I'm keen to advance my brewing skills but really think I cant be bothered temp surfing with a HX. Must haves: Good steam ability and capacity. Temp and pressure adjustment. Work with smart plug. Stainless and knobs. Machines I'm considering: ACS Minima, this seems to be very popular. I like the looks and it ticks all boxes. Is it direct purchase only? Lelit Bianca, also ticks all boxes but is a bit spendy for us and currently no UK stock. Profitec Pro 600, again looks like it would serve us well but is pricey. Leaning heavily towards the Minima due to reviews and price. Though unsure of import costs if buying direct. Intention is to keep the Specialita, at least until I am comfortable with a new machine. Are these good options for our needs, anything else we should consider?

Done some very good research, and you can to the conclusion most of us do The Bianca is very much end game, and if you can get there I'd say money well spent. The minima is great but will be a tad noisy. Which I didn't like You can always email ACS and ask the costs involved

If price is a factor, you may also look at the Lelit Mara-X. Temperature adjustment is limited to 3 settings but that's probably sufficient. It has the benefit of a quieter pump over the ACS minima. I purchase my ACS Evo Leva directly from ACS and this was a fairly simple process, and I'd have no hesitation going direct with them again.

@"Penance"#p30097 Welcome to the forum! I think ACS are leaning towards direct buying for the UK; there may still be machines available through dealers, but they are probably running out the stock rather than ordering new ones. What you'd get in exchange for a few £ is a UK-based retailer warranty rather than a parts-only one. Import costs may well be less than you expect, but they won't exceed 20% VAT on the price ACS quotes, including transport. As Eiffel said, the process is very straightforward - other than waiting for your new machine at the mercy of the transport company… Another machine worth considering - though it doesn't tick the 'knobs and stainless' box - is the Lelit Elizabeth.

Thanks. The Bianca looks stunning but is really pushing our budget and would need some negotiation for me to sell its advantages. I'll work on that.. Also, cant find stock at any reputable UK sellers. I did consider the Elizabeth but just can't get past its looks unfortunately.

@"Eiffel"#p30099 originally started looking at the MaraX but upgrade creep led me to DB machines. Undoubtedly it would make us happy for quite a while but I suspect we would always have a niggling 'what if'.

@"Penance"#p30101 exactly why I never got the Elizabeth.

You have already done your home work! You may add Vesuvius and Evo Leva to the list. Well, there is new 1 group Vostok (lever) being show cased and is probably not ready for sales. All these can be had from ACS. You may contact @"Paolo_Cortese"#90 Please see this thread! https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/1153-my-time-in-naples/54 Edit : Do you also require a grinder ? What about your water?

@"LMSC"#p30106 the Vesuvius is nearly double our budget unfortunately. Current grinder is a Eureka Specialita which I intend to keep, for now anyway. Water, will likely use bottled water to start. Not sure I'm ready to tackle that subject yet! It looks bewildering to me.

> @"Penance"#p30107 Vesuvius is nearly double our budget unfortunately. I thought it wasn’t (\~£2000) when it was on deal months ago direct from ACS. They will advise you what the status is now. Both Minima and Bianca are great. :-)

@"LMSC"#p30108 ah ok, was going by retail prices. Will drop them an email.

New machine time!

DavecUK

Black is really nice…

Penance

DavecUK decisions decisions..

Verion

@Penance I wholeheartedly think that the Minima is perfect for my needs which is similar to yours bar the oat milk requirement.

ACS were great to talk to and purchase directly.

At around £1260 all in for the stainless steel version, there’s just no other dual boiler in the price range. It’s incredibly capable.

One day I might change the pump to a silentx one used in the Lelit MaraX, but even with the stock pump, the noise isn’t something that bothers me.

I don’t think you would regret the Minima.

This is a pic of mine with my Niche.

Penance

Verion I’ve done some more reading today and I have to agree, at the cost it seems unparalleled.

Spoke with ACS today, just need to chat with my wife and make a decision on it but hope to order soon.

Cuprajake

For the price for what you get it’s the best bang for buck, and it has the solenoid group which means no greasing.

Penance

Cuprajake Like I said before, I’d really like a Bianca but imo it’s not justifiable at 1k more than the Minima.

Cuprajake

Penance I was on about the minima mate,

Ernie1

Can you fit a rotary pump in the ACS?

Not a priority obviously but might be an upgrade option later to narrow the gap between the Bianca.

As @Cuprajake says, the lower maintenance on the ACS will be a blessing. At the time I didn’t really mind the cleaning/maintenance on the Bianca but since getting the Linea I realise it was a bit more of a chore.

CoyoteOldMan

Ernie1 I don’t think there is the space - the Minima is quite packed.

Penance

No idea to be honest. I’ve seen that some have installed the Marax pump as it is meant to be quieter.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 I just checked and you’re right, £2249 I think is retail.

Out of curiosity @Penance - where do you guys see the Bianca trading at £2249? Bella Barista is on pre-order at £1899.

PS: Yesterday it was out of stock, but the price never changed.

Penance

MediumRoastSteam must resist….

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

Yeah as above, it’s other UK retailers. I wondered if BB were waiting on new stock and the new units that arrive would be the higher price.

Obviously not!

Penance

Can’t remember the names but it’s the 2 other UK stockists listed by Lelit.

Edit: espresso underground listed at £2319.

Cuprajake

Oh and you can add flow control down the line should you wish it’s a good machine.

Penance

With that in mind it seems fairly future proof too.

Inspector

Norvin is selling a Minima here with flow paddle already installed

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/1164-acs-minima-with-lelit-flow-control-kit-for-sale

Penance

Kinda wish I hadn’t seen the Bianca at £1899. Going to put some more thought in before final decision.

Cuprajake

The Bianca is end game, but it will make the same coffee as the minima, both have pids, the Bianca is a tiny bit .ore clever, warms quicker, and a tad more refined, but it’s £6-700 more

Plus point to the minima is you don’t have to grease after back flushing

Plus point to the Bianca is it has a £200 flow control already fitted and is a quiet rotary pump machine.

Either one is a really good choice.

At this level it’s what floats your boat, in terms of coffee blind test you’d know no difference.

Penance

Cuprajake thanks, very good points there. If I wouldn’t notice a difference I should probably save my coins.

« Previous Page Next Page »