I am retro fitting my 2metre long sideboard with a 670mm deep top(up from 470).
This includes building a steel subframe on industrial castors the same depth for stability.
There will also be a coach bolt into the wall frame so the bugger never even thinks about tipping over on me.

JonWoo187 I considered the Silvia Pro X, but after seeing the reviews, the drip tray put me off - small things, but important to be happy - so I ended up with my ECM Classika PID, which I’m very happy with (The added flow control is a bonus).

There is so much to be said for good build quality and workflow, and absolutely upgrades need a lot of research - ideally hands-on, but for many of us that’s almost impossible. Having said that, I’m hoping I don’t find a need to upgrade personally now. I see these shiny ACS machines, but honestly they wouldn’t be any better for me - just fancy buttons and levers 😉

Back to the original post, it does sound like a dual-boiler for the milk aspect, but I’d absolutely suggest watching videos and reviews especially around workflow and how it fits your expectations. I know that my workflow actually became much simpler when I went to E61 after the Bambino, but that’s more because the Bambino couldn’t hold temperature, didn’t have a shot timer, didn’t have a 3-way solenoid, etc… little things (well, not the temperature) but you have to put more effort in to get to the same place.

Sure, the E61 takes around 45 mins to heat, but I make a glass of water when I wake and switch on the machine, then when I’m ready for coffee it’s good to go. You just need what best fits in your daily flow.

      mobius Yes the drip tray is a bit shallow, but very little water makes it into the tray compared to other machines. I have never been one to flush any machine directly into the tray and use a cup to catch that, so the only discharge that ends up in the tray is from the 3-way. I don’t think Rancilio is off base with the design as there’s simply no need to have a tray that can hold a ton more.

      I’ve had a handful of machines over the years and after having a V1 Silvia that I did quite a few mods to I decided to get the Pro version. Not for the dual boiler design as I rarely use steam, but it’s a machine that will no doubt work well for me as long as I expect it to. I don’t buy in to the current fad of profiling, preinfusion, daily burr swap, etc. as IMBHO those are training wheels for those that can’t dial a machine in the old school way. Main focus for me for some time now has been on the coffee itself. I have a very capable machine and 2 grinders (manual/electric) and can dial in precisely how I want with green selection and roasting as that’s by far the most important variable at the end of the day.

          JonWoo187

          It wasn’t so much the size of the drip tray for me, but the ‘lip’/angle it needed to be removed. A small detail, but for me would cause so much hassle/mess. I can see how it’s not a problem for everyone. I never used to flush into the drip tray on the Bambino (speaking of tiny/non-existant) but now on the Classika I actually used it for everything, and then simply rinse at the end - again, finding a workflow that suited me, and now am used to.

          I have a very capable machine and 2 grinders (manual/electric) and can dial in precisely how I want with green selection and roasting as that’s by far the most important variable at the end of the day.

          Absolutely. The key is getting a machine that ‘just works’ with whatever your process is. Once you’re there, anything else is just ‘shiny’. The main problem is discovering that setup, as for many people there’s nowhere to go and just ‘try’ all the options.

          It’s great to hear when folks have a setup that they’re happy with - more expensive/complex is absolutely not always better. I’ve gone back from my Vario+ for grinding espresso to a Comandante C40 as it’s just a better fit for how I make coffee. Would a Niche be a better fit for me ? 🤷🏻 maybe one day I’ll try it, but for the moment, I know that I’m not having problems that need a change in tool.

              mobius An easy solution for me is for quite a few yrs now I haven’t emptied the drip tray, but keep a few thick sponges in it, which absorbs all water and I simply rinse them after every daily use, wipe the drip tray and it’s like new the next morning. I wash the sponges often to keep things sanitary and never the least bit messy.

              No doubt people tend to have that mentality of ‘needing’ something else/new, but in time you should just realize what works for your daily use and work on maximizing that.

                DavecUK That’s a brilliant review of it, thanks! It’s out then for sure.

                  Thanks for all the advice in the thread. Following it, I made an offer of the absolute maximum I could afford to somebody who had offered me a machine before. Delighted to say he’s accepted it and now I just have to work out how to fit the damned thing in my kitchen/tell the girlfriend.

                  …. And I’ve realised I probably need a plumbed water filter, which will cost even more?

                    DavecUK A 2021 slayer espresso single group, 960 shots on the clock. [price paid similar to a Bianca. embarrassing, but I couldn’t afford more]

                    Really excited to practice on the ‘saturated shot’ methods and get precise temp control. It’s really fast to warmup too. Been watching youtube videos all day on what to do, but I’ll likely still have a ton of questions.

                        Wow steal then

                        Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                        capuchin A 2021 slayer espresso single group, 960 shots on the clock. [price paid similar to a Bianca. embarrassing, but I couldn’t afford more]

                        Really excited to practice on the ‘saturated shot’ methods and get precise temp control. It’s really fast to warmup too. Been watching youtube videos all day on what to do, but I’ll likely still have a ton of questions.

                        I know a certain person who will be very upset they didn’t pinch and resell that after bigging it up…😁

                        Contact me

                            Well I’m not sure Sage Bambino to a Slayer is the most common upgrade path but I’m more curious as to why someone would sell one for £1800?!?

                            4 grand would’ve been a good price…

                            DavecUK I’m very grateful that they didn’t! A good bottle of wine could be in order when Christmas comes around. :D Don’t think this particular machine will be on the market for many years now.

                            @Ernie1 It was offered to me a while ago at a higher price. I decided at the time that I couldn’t afford it. [Believe I posted a thread at the time] Got in contact on the back of this thread offering what I could afford and he said it’s no problem as it just sits in his apartment. There’s still additional expense in plumbing filtered water and sorting the kitchen for it. (its technically £1800 + £700 to charity at a later date when I can afford it…)