Some (mildly) interesting findings over on HB. Some people (myself included) noticed the panelling on the new Linea Mini R looked slightly thinner than on the original Mini. Turns out it is a lower thickness (about 3 gauges different).

On the face of it this is completely irrelevant as it doesn’t impact the espresso output at all. However, it feels like it’s definitely a shift from LM. Having used a commercial Linea, the original Mini accurately feels like a small version of it, whereas the newer machines seem more like a home specific line.

Also, on a machine with a relatively limited feature set, the build quality was one of the biggest selling points… I wonder how much of this direction is DeLonghi’s influence. I’ve said it before but if I was buying again, I’d definitely go for a used Mini over one of the new ones.

La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

Ikawa Roaster

    MediumRoastSteam

    I don’t think I would. It’s only subtle touches but the newer models feel like a progression towards home appliances which would make the price tag even harder to justify.

    For me, I like having the robustness and utilitarian simplicity of a commercial workhorse in my Kitchen. Kind of like how a KitchenAid mixer doesn’t do anything a £50 plastic own-brand mixer would but just feels like it’ll go on working for decades.

    That was always the appeal. We know LM’s are comparatively never going to be value for money, and especially not feature-wise so to lose an element of what they do have seems a shame. I guess it’s good timing on LM’s part. Espresso is having it’s moment in the spotlight thanks mainly to influencers having a huge stage online, people with the kind of wealth where they just want the biggest brand name to show off to their friends regardless of cost or quality are probably a growing market at the moment.

    Hopefully the actual reliability hasn’t changed. It’s probably mostly the same internally so really the thickness of metal panels is a non-issue in the grand scheme of things.

    I’m just thankful I managed to get a new ‘original’ version.

    La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

    Ikawa Roaster

      4 days later

      Here’s a pic of my recently acquired Micra. It’s an upgrade to the La Pavoni purchased from a forum member and I’m enjoying the simplicity of the dual boiler vs the art of temp control on the La Pavoni. Starting to get the hang of the steam power, and loving the the small foot print vs my last DB (a MK1 Alex Duetto). Will look to add an espresso focussed grinder at some point, but the options for those seem overwhelming nowadays!

      25 days later

      Special edition LM for those who are special enough to order 😂

      https://lamarzocco.com/journeys-with-rimowa/

      Says you have to be ‘selected’ to buy which reminds of Rolex ‘wait list’ nonsense. Shame this kind of thing has crossed over into our hobby.

      Rimowa, for those who aren’t familiar, make luggage to show people you’ve got £3k to spend on suitcases but aren’t classy enough for a Globetrotter.

      La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

      Ikawa Roaster

        HarveyMushman I love the look of this.

        However I will never be special enough, rich enough, or stupid enough to buy it over a standard one 😂

          Cuprajake

          😂 literally stuck AMG stickers on the side of it.

          La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

          Ikawa Roaster

            HarveyMushman
            I detest the practices that the luxury brands have introduced to try to get people to desire their products and to buy them for absurdly extortionate prices for aspirational social status symbolisatjon purposes instead of just selling quality products that work well and reliably for a long time. There was once upon a. Time that a watch and a bag was just a watch and a bag. I hope that a coffee machine and grinder will never represent more than the functional machines that they are.

                I may have been shopping for my Micra!!

                The sunken tray for the lunar scale has been released..

                Saw this video earlier, love things like this.

                La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                Ikawa Roaster

                  6 days later

                  MattH

                  Nice! Looking forward to seeing pics fitted to the machine with the scales!

                  La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                  Ikawa Roaster

                    Have to say the fit and finish in the tray is excellent (fits better than than the original

                    Love it. Looks so neat.

                    Reminded me how great that grey looks also.

                    La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                    Ikawa Roaster

                    MediumRoastSteam I’m confused - or maybe just daft.

                    You’re definitely not the first to ask.

                    On the Micra, presumably due to the reduced size, the reservoir (behind the drip tray) extends into the drip tray a bit.

                    It’s centred on the Mini version but I actually prefer the Micra design as If you flush the group it doesn’t go all over the scales. You just use a horizontal plate thing on the scales so the cup sits in the right spot.

                    La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                    Ikawa Roaster