smallblueplanet
I stuck with the Sage DB out of a mix of laziness and curiousness, and I’m still with it. Funnily enough I’ve just had my first cleaning cycle flash up.
I think it’s a great machine overall, can’t really moan about all the features you get for the money. Here are the downsides I have noticed personally:
- The warming plate at the top barely warms my cups, noticeably different to my MaraX
- The group head is recessed and low, makes locking in/shot watching/bigger cups an issue
- The auto turn off after 20 minutes is extremely frustrating as you cycle the power/temperatures if you forget to brew in that time
- 3rd party naked portafilters barely work which is a shame (and official is £££)
So gripes more than turn offs really. I also can’t get the knack of steaming right, it’s always too thin or way too much volume - something I never struggled with on the MaraX but that’s probably more user error.
I’m keeping the DB anyway, I nearly side-graded to an Elizabeth but for the hassle and selling I don’t think it’s worth it. I agree with the general consensus and @Chriss29 that really the upgrades from here will be massively alternative machines (manuals etc) or Decents.