Same same. The way I’d decribe the espresso from the stock Duo burrs is “silkier” (versus Zero). Both very enjoyable espressos. More flavor seperation with the Duo.
Can’t help but think that Niche have a massive potential feature that goes unpromoted, unsupported and therefore untapped, being the ability to try non-stock burrs in their burr cartridges.
The BIG point of difference with the original promotion was the ability to swap burrs with ease and it delivers on spades in that regard. Hence the name “Duo”.
But since the market place kickback of “nah, don’t really want to swap the burrs, its all a bit hard” the potential of the extraordinary genius of the burr cartridge design remains largely untapped.
The three SSP burrs and all Mazzer burrs appear to fit the Duo seamlessly as do the Gorrilla Gear burrs. (I’m slowly working through others and they are a bit of a mixed bag.)
Niche don’t want to encourage or condone what I’m doing in using non-stock burrs (SSP and other Mazzers as per above) in their burr cartridges for various reasons including having to answer support questions like “my grinder sounds different, please help”.
From reading posts on several forums, very few people are using the Duo as originally intended i.e. swapping burr cartridges between espresso and filter. Thus the untapped potential of the original design.
If Niche would only do some testing and confirm that the SSP and Mazzer burrs can be used, and sell blank burr cartridges (or at least offer burr cartridges with the 151B or 151F burrs), then a whole new vista or opportunity would open up for users, which would help to realize the massive untapped potential of the Duo design.
My sense of frustration (palpable) is for Niche and their consumers. Me, I just buy more grinders to get the extra burr cartridges. But that’s not so possible for everyone, hence my anguish at the untapped potential of the absolute espresso-world-changing potential of their design which is being almost completely untapped.
I really like my little DF64Vs, but I’m blown away with the Duo.
(I know I keep saying it but I think, maybe, this time, I’ve found my end game grinders. Well, at least for 2023)
