I had a Saeco Magic Deluxe super-automatic that I used for about 5 years, and was pretty happy with. It recently had a malfunction (the first since I bought it) and a piece of the brew group broke off. Me and my wife were very sad, since we had paid $600 for the thing. So, instead of fixing it we decided to get a new one, since we wanted the dual-boiler features of newer models (no wait between brew and steam). So I bought a new Incanto SBS and it was a lemon! After about 9 shots the first night, it broke the next morning -- like the old one, a piece of the brew group broke. So, I went back to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and exchanged it for a new one (which they did happily). After about a week, that one broke too!!! (although for a completely different reason - the water light came on and it would not auto-prime). I simply returned it in disgust and vowed to buy something higher quality.
After reading many reviews on the wonderful Coffee Geek website (http://www.coffeegeek.com, can't say enough good things about that site), I decided on the Expobar Office Control and Rocky grinder with doser (maybe should have gotten doserless in retrospect). Wow, what a difference in espresso quality! I had some inkling that super-automatics don't make the best espresso after visiting Intelligentsia coffee here in Chicago (http://intelligentsiacoffee.com) and getting some of the best Lattes I have ever experienced (and I've been to Italy). I did not know what the difference could be and attributed it to bean freshness. I even tried buying their beans and taking them right home and brewing to no avail. But after reading many articles on Coffee Geek I realized it was the super-automatic, not bean freshness or anything else. With this new Expobar, I finally feel like I have a chance at re-creating those amazing Lattes -- mine are not that good yet, but I can already almost taste it!
And the steam quality is amazing as well. No more Panarello attachments for me! They are just crutches for weak steamers. Another bonus is you can steam and brew simultaneously due to the fact this is an HX machine. Just like the professionals! That is the main reason I selected the Expobar over the Rancilio Silvia (my second choice) -- and I do not regret it in the least. My only complaint is that the water resevoir is hard to remove and refill -- I wish it was easier to get at, or was larger, or a direct-plumbing option was available.
I have got to say, that I am truly in Espresso Nirvana, as Mark Prince says. I can't wait to work on my grinding/tamping technique every morning in pursuit of the ultimate Espresso. Also, this Expobar unit is really amazing looking in my kitchen -- all stainless steel and looking professional -- my wife loves that part of it. Spend the extra $500 premium for brewer/grinder over the $900 Saeco, it's WORTH IT if you love coffee.
