Really the only improvement from your Mara that you’ll see in the cup if you’re not into any kind of profiling is going to be from a saturated (or similar) group.

For that you need to spend a fair bit more (that Arkel machine has one apparently).

Anything else is really only likely to aid efficiency of making milk drinks, be slightly lower maintenance and be a sort of ‘sidegrade’ rather than an upgrade.

I would say save the money and spend it on good coffee instead but seems like even that’s becoming harder to find lately.

La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

Ikawa Roaster

    dang2484

    Looks interesting, initial searching suggest their build quality might be lower than other brands but I’m unsure.

        HarveyMushman

        To be honest I want to move to a saturated head like you’ve said, something with a more finite temperature control and solid build quality. I’d be happy to look at a Go or an SPX at this point - the others look like too much money to do a quality of life sidegrade like you said.

        I’ll keep this open in case anyone has a suitable machine for sale over the next couple of weeks otherwise I might go for a new one.

          The Go looks to be very good build quality and should be as a Profitec product. I also think that the benefits of dual boilers can be overstated as a home user as a single boiler will generally require less maintenance, heat up faster and often not take any longer to make a milk drink once you take into account how long it takes to clean the portafilter and fill your milk jug.

          pandabear agree but their write a big known brand and would be easy to find parts with generic setup for servicing. I doubt they’re build quality is worse than Lelit 🤔

              dang2484

              You’re right and I had a good second look but I don’t like the styling of it all that much (polished stainless, odd comic sans looking fonts), plus the water tank seems a right-side removal which wouldn’t work with my setup unfortunately!

              Appreciate you making me aware though, thank you!

                Tin hat time, but for me, the best dual boiler value wise is the Sage DB. They revamped the internals in late 2022 by changing both boilers and reverting to compression fittings to stop the issues of O rings degrading. Priced at £1249 I have seen it for £1050 at Clumsy Goat for example. 2 year warranty from Sage, with ongoing repairs from Coffee Classics. You would need to check that they are discounting current stock though as one or two still have the black version which went out of production ages ago

                https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

                  To be fair a friend of mine who makes most of his purchasing decisions based on what John Lewis have on display ignored all my advice and got a Sage DB and he’s been really happy with it.

                  He’s also not had any problems with it. It pains me to say it but it’s also not the worst looking machine when compared to some of the £500-£1500 options out there.

                  La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                  Ikawa Roaster

                    There are two Sage DB’s for sale on the other forum atm which priced well.

                    Pound for pound the SDB is the best price machine available with temp stability up there with high end machines.

                    dfk41

                    I’ve just seen you can get it with the Smart Grinder for a few pennies under £1100. Could gift that to my cousin. Very tempting…

                        I went from a Sage Duo Temp to the MaraX and the Duo Temp felt very flimsy, that’s the only thing that’s holding me back.

                        I would suggest Rancilio SPX, excelente build quality, like a tank, works like a clockwork, easy, simple, delivers what you expect from her (it). I would buy it again with my closed eyes. I had to sell it when we sold the flat (divorce etc) and now my new flat is smaller and literally don’t have space…

                        I imagine it’s expensive to ship, besides taxes etc but now in Spain it’s 1355€ shipping included directly from Rancilio España.

                        Thanks all for your thoughts.

                        I don’t think the perfect machine exists and I was torn between the Rancilio, Sage and maybe taking a punt on something like The Argos (but it feels too soon). The other options are just too expensive for my budget right now and I was struggling to justify them.

                        I couldn’t find a good deal on a Rancilio or a decent refurbished one that was circa £1000 which was my mental limit so I’ve gone with a Sage BDB refurbished with 12 months warranty for £600 that I managed to find in great condition. Should arrive soon and I’ll have 30 days to return if I’m not happy. Hopefully it’ll be a keeper for a while until budget increases or I get itchy feet!

                        HarveyMushman It pains me to say it but it’s also not the worst looking machine when compared to some of the £500-£1500 options out there.

                        Or some a lot more expensive. He could have ended up with a lmlm 🤭🤪

                        Sage dual boiler has to be the best bang for buck out there.

                        Some great videos out there from Lance etc from a few years back.

                        Ade Smith. ACS Evo Leva v2. Kafatek Flat max 2, ssw 2024. Mazzer Philos, Craig Lyn HG-1 prime., WW key mk1.

                        About Me

                            pandabear I’ve just seen you can get it with the Smart Grinder for a few pennies under £1100

                            Id go for that, sell the grinder on ebay and get a niche zero. Bargain

                            Ade Smith. ACS Evo Leva v2. Kafatek Flat max 2, ssw 2024. Mazzer Philos, Craig Lyn HG-1 prime., WW key mk1.

                            About Me

                                Adrianmsmith

                                I’ll see what this one is like first. I doubt I will dislike it but this gives me the chance to see and test for 30 days. And it’s actually in the black which I prefer, which is £100 more from Clumsy Goat over the stainless. So even after potentially selling the grinder I’d be ~£450 better off, albeit with a shorter warranty and potentially a couple of marks. We’ll see once I get it!

                                And I’ve already got a Niche Zero! 😁

                                  Adrianmsmith Or some a lot more expensive. He could have ended up with a lmlm 🤭🤪

                                  I’m only slightly biased but it’s the nicest looking machine out there and I won’t be told otherwise!



                                  La Marzocco Linea Mini - Mazzer Philos

                                  Ikawa Roaster