tompoland I shall await your comparisons with real interest. It occurred to me recently, that one could acquire a very fine “DB” by purchasing something like an ECM Puristika or Meticulous, and adding a really excellent steamer. I’m curious to see how The Morning Dream and Meticulous Milk fare, however it is good to know that a WPM MS-130T does the job very well.
In the USA an ECM Puristika w/ flow control is $1,600. A WPM MS-130T purchased from the firm and shipped from Hong Kong To New York would run $600 to $750 depending on exchange rate and choice of shipper. Even at the higher option, that equals a very fine DB for $2,350, with perhaps some advantages over a traditional DB.
By comparison ECM Mechanika Max HX is $2,400, Izzo Alex Duetto IV Plus DB & ECM Synchronika DB (both w/ flow control) are $3,100.
I strongly suspect you are very right in seeing this as a market opportunity. Thanks again.