Hello everyone! Super new here. Have some questions regarding the ACS Minima and the Lelit Mara X and thought joining this forum would be the best place to find the answer with @"DavecUK"#1's extensive knowledge on both machines. Essentially I am in the market for my first espresso machine and I am looking to get either the ACS Minima or the Lelit Mara X. I like both the looks (preferably with wooden finishes!) but slightly prefer the Minima's unique aesthetic. Where I stay (Singapore) the approximate price difference (Minima being more expensive) is as follows: 450\.00 SGD / 332.69 USD / 293.53 EUR I am wondering if the extra 450 SGD is worth the price upgrade from the HX to DB given that the Mara X doesn't have the issues of a typical HX? And from my research, the Minima's finishes (water tank, thinner metal, hot wand) are not as polished as the Mara X's? I am also wondering about the items that comes with the machine (i.e. the extras I need to buy after getting the machine). I understand the Minima comes with a plastic tamper that I would likely need to switch out. Some info in case it might help you guys help me: * I am intending to use this machine for the long term * I make 2 to 3 cups of black coffee (currently filtered, would be changing to Americanos / Long Blacks) * I prefer milk coffees on the weekends (also 2 to 3 cups per day) * If I have a group of people coming over I might need to make up to 5 cups of milk drinks, but this is rare and far between * I am using a manual 1zpresso JX grinder now which I intend to upgrade to a Niche Zero later this year - Side question, will the 1zpresso JX suffice as an espresso grinder or the grinder upgrade should come before the espresso machine? Thank you everyone for reading! And nice to meet everyone! :)

> @"Ixorya"#p5662 I make 2 to 3 cups of black coffee (currently filtered, would be changing to Americanos / Long Blacks) For me, this is deterministic. Minima it is. Run the machine without the service/steam boiler on during the weekdays, and with the boiler on at the weekend. You have better temp control and virtually no maintenance.

Hi Ive owned both and went from the Mara X to the Minima. I didn’t regret that decision.

@"Ixorya"#p5662 I should mention the Minima has much thicker metal than the MaraX, the metal is only thin on the drip tray, to make it a little springy, so it doesn't vibrate. Nist AISI 316L stainless boilers as well!

A question about the Minima. I will be probably using it to make coffees twice a day say 11am and 1pm and steaming both times. Ive seen that the steam boiler takes about 5 mins to get to temperature so presumably I should turn on the brew boiler at say 10.30 and then just flick the brew and steam boiler on 5 mins before I want to make my first drink? Is it worth switching back to just the brew boiler only after making my first coffee and leaving this on until I want to make my afternoon coffee again switching on the steam boiler 5 mins before I plan to make my coffee, or better to leave both boilers switched on?

I used to turn mine off, takes minutes to get back up to temp

It takes 8-9 mins to warm up to 130C from cold. Will take less time for your second coffee as it will be still be warm.

> @"Cuprajake"#p5742 I used to turn mine off, takes minutes to get back up to temp As do I

> @"MediumRoastSteam"#p5664 Run the machine without the service/steam boiler on during the weekdays, and with the boiler on at the weekend. You have better temp control and virtually no maintenance. I've just confirmed my order with ACS for a Minima and will be doing exactly this. The maintenance point was also a big + for me.

Thank you everyone for your input. I didn't expect a 100% vote on the minima. But this definitely help make my decision easier. 😁 I look forward to getting my white minima with wooden finish!

ACS Minima vs Lelit Mara X

simonc

I’m glad my wife won’t read this. I’mtelling her the Minima is end game! I don’t want her to know there is an upgrade path 🤫

Snooze

simonc hahaha, same here! Although it would be true once a flow controller would be added.

Snooze

Anyone had or have the MaraX and ACS Minima side by side to compte noise level? Is that much different?

From @DavecUK Minima review I understand it’s quieter than most machine with vibe pump but is it as good as the MaraX?

I think that was already answered somewhere so sorry if it’s the case. I just didn’t find it.

DavecUK

Snooze ACS Minima is a lot louder than MaraX

Snooze

DavecUK ahh that is a bummer… it guess it may not be that far from my current Oscar II with the Lelit Silent Pump..

Cuprajake

Id say the minima is pretty much end game, add flow control and theres nothing it cant do that much more expensive machines do, id argue the solenoid group actually gives it the edge.

The pump isnt the quietest, the mara x is quieter.

Regardless a grand plus on a machine is mental, im close to 2 🤣🤯

dutchy101

Minima is end game for me. The mere suggestion of getting anything else will be the end of me. The bonus of being able to add the flow control kit leaves me with an upgadeable option

DavecUK

The performance of the minima equals or exceeds much more expensive dual boilers especially around steaming!

The solenoid group is something I would like to see on many more machines….warms up a little faster too!

Snooze

I guess the question I have to ask myself is if the extra money to get the Bianca is worth it, even if I get a deal on it.

Cuprajake

Well if you plan to add flow control at any point then thats another 200, which measns your paying another 400 for a rotary pump, tamper , 2 pf and 3 baskets haha

Snooze

Cuprajake that was my thinking too. Ahh it’s not an easy choice!!

dutchy101

Cuprajake

To be fair, my Minima came with 3 portafilters (including bottomles) and baskets. I won’t mention the tamper it came with

DavecUK

Snooze Get the Bianca, you know that’s what you really want. Cheaper than upgrading later!

Cuprajake

Thats good, mone came with a standard and naked was provided by black cat from memory

dutchy101

Yes that’s correct, Black Cat threw in the bottomless - it’s not in the ACS accessories, but it came with a double and single spouted portafilter and baskets. The blanking disk was rubber as opposed to a metal basket.

Snooze

Cuprajake I’m in contact with ACS about potentially buying a Minima and they have been investigating ways to make the pump quieter and if it works, they could put it on the machine I would order. To me that may tilt the balance toward the Minima!! They also suggested that changing the pump for the MaraX pump would be doable. The person I’m exchanging with is also investigating other options with Paolo so there may be other options.

So I’ll wait until I know more from them. But so far I’m glad I didn’t get the Bianca too quickly since I may save some money to improve my grinder.

BTW, what do you guys consider a necessary upgrade to a Eureka Silenzio? I may move this question to the grinder section since I don’t want to derail this thread.

simonc

Snooze Do you have details for the ACS? If I can’t get the used Minima I want to discuss with them an alteration to the power supply on a new one.

Alexvs

Snooze This is what drew me to ACS as they’re continually developing and if my one didn’t appear on eBay I was in discussion about buying a new one too. If they manage to improve the pump noise they’ll be onto a winner!

PortafilterProcrastinator

Snooze Interested to see what they come up with on the pump noise. I can make a coffee with everyone still asleep and not wake anyone up, so isn’t an issue here, but improvements are always interesting and tempting.

Snooze

simonc I went directly on their website for that. I will not post their email here to avoid potential spamming. Unless the moderator wish to do it.

dutchy101

simonc Do you have details for the ACS? If I can’t get the used Minima I want to discuss with them an alteration to the power supply on a new one

I think this is probably your best bet

simonc

Alexvs I would love a new one but at the moment hoping to get used as saves a lot of money.

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