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Thread: The Coffeehouse.... Baristi, Barista, Bariste

  1. #131
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

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    A tribute to finca la fany with my afternoon coffee

    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  2. #132
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 6,843
    I'm Justin.

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    What schoolboys we are

  3. #133
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

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    Forgot to comment on this:

    Quote Originally Posted by User211 View Post
    Well, Marco, glad to see that POS is out of the way so soon!

    Unfortunately you have to spend some money or get out of the game. Tis just life when it comes to this stuff. And just like hi-fi, you won't ever be 100% satisfied even when you have spent a lot.
    Indeed, but the difference is I had to find out for myself that is was a PoS, rather than being told so by others, or simply snobbishly judging it on its price. And now that I have a reference point, it'll make me appreciate how much better a proper machine is!

    Since you're making the comparison with hi-fi, I'll always go the maximum 'slurp-per-pound' route first, before shelling out big bucks, just in case I can unearth a 'giant-killer'!

    The same process will be applied to the £10 grinder from Lidl. If I decide that it's plenty good enough for my needs, that's what I'll be using. Or if it's obvious that it's a PoS, then, just like the coffee machine, I'll fully appreciate the benefits of a better one.

    That's just how I do things!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  4. #134
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    We are just trying to save you hassle/money.
    There are a few budget machines that work really well. Don't forget that the grinder is far more important than the machine (people seem to recommend spending twice as much on a grinder as you do on the machine, but if you shop carefully you don't need to) and where the blade grinder will work and you will be able to make reasonable espresso, to extract the full flavour you really need to go with burr grinders. From what I have read, the bigger the burrs, the better.

    I have also read that there may be issues with the latest Silvia, which is why I recommend that you talk to or visit a specialist like Bella Barista where you get to play with the machines, as well as sample some coffee made with the machines. You can then tell if it is worth investing more or not.

    I don't know if there are any shops near Wrexham that offer the same services. In my opinion there should be.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  5. #135
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

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    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    We are just trying to save you hassle/money.
    And it's noted and appreciated, but I'm the type of person who will ultimately always make up my own mind, therefore I need my own reference point from which to judge things against. It's exactly the same with hi-fi

    There are a few budget machines that work really well. Don't forget that the grinder is far more important than the machine (people seem to recommend spending twice as much on a grinder as you do on the machine, but if you shop carefully you don't need to) and where the blade grinder will work and you will be able to make reasonable espresso, to extract the full flavour you really need to go with burr grinders. From what I have read, the bigger the burrs, the better.
    Sure, and that's something I'll definitely be testing, but separately from the machine itself. Firstly, I want to get a machine that ticks these boxes:

    1) Is well-made/looks good and reliable.
    2) Intuitive to use and represents good value for money.
    3) Has all the useful features I personally would need.
    4) Is compact in size, especially in terms of height.

    After which I'd familiarise myself with it for a bit, using the budget grinder. Then when I'm fully au fait with the capabilities of the machine itself and the grinder, I'll start experimenting with better grinders, in order to minimise the variables of what's causing what, in terms of the results obtained.

    I'm always methodical about these things, as when I invest in something like this, it's never just on whim, and crucially, it's always with the intention of it being a long-term purchase. Plus it's more fun learning that way, rather than simply jumping in at the 'high-end', and afterwards discovering that the same results could've been achieved for a fraction of the price...

    I'll only shell out BIG bucks on a top-of-the-range coffee machine if it's demonstrably proven to me that it does something better with my favourite coffee, which is important to me, than is achievable with 'lesser' machines. I apply the very same principles to hi-fi.

    I have also read that there may be issues with the latest Silvia, which is why I recommend that you talk to or visit a specialist like Bella Barista where you get to play with the machines, as well as sample some coffee made with the machines. You can then tell if it is worth investing more or not.

    I don't know if there are any shops near Wrexham that offer the same services. In my opinion there should be.
    That's something I'll look into (wouldn't just need to be near Wrexham, as I'd be willing to travel within a 100 mile radius for such a service), and thanks for the heads-up on the Silvia

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  6. #136
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    I can relate to that. My previous machine cost €250, and did a good job.
    It didn't look great, and the coffee was ok. When the new grinder arrived, I was getting better coffee.
    With the new machine, I am getting the full flavour.

    It is like going from a bog standard SL1200, to a fully modified deck. The basic gives you the general flavour, but misses out on the finer subtleties. The fun part is how you go from a to b....
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  7. #137
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by User211 View Post
    They are but with one caveat. The coloured ones are coloured by coating the steel with a plastic film. This eventually comes off after multiple dishwasher sessions until it becomes a stainless steel item in its entirety. So if you aren't going to hand wash, just get the plain finish.
    Having just read the instructions, it tells you not to put the bottom in the dishwasher.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  8. #138
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    Thanks for the tip.

    I have now switched from the Illy beans to the “Best French Espresso 2017” blend from Cafe Pfaff.
    It tastes much fruitier than the Illy, so Mrs H may prefer this one.
    I have just finished of the beans from this one - helped by a few visitors.
    The postman brought me some IMS filter baskets today, so I can play with the coffee dose. I think that the 18g I use with Illy is too much, so I have a basket that will allow me to dose at 15g.

    I have switched to the Illy Guatemalan coffee beans, so more reports to follow tomorrow on these.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  9. #139
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Bristol

    Posts: 6,843
    I'm Justin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    Having just read the instructions, it tells you not to put the bottom in the dishwasher.
    To be fair it does but that's only because the frigging coloured coating comes off! For the plain stainless steel ones there's no issue with doing so.

    I own five of them and handwashing is a no no.

  10. #140
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    I have also read that there may be issues with the latest Silvia, which is why I recommend that you talk to or visit a specialist like Bella Barista where you get to play with the machines, as well as sample some coffee made with the machines. You can then tell if it is worth investing more or not.
    Apparently, it switches itself off after 20 minutes - not a big deal but it could be a pain for after dinner coffees.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

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