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Date: 04 Jan 2007 20:26:15
From:
Subject: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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My apologies for polluting the group with another Superautomatic
discussion, however I need the advice of someone who has used a few
different Saeco superauto models to help me in my buying decision.
I am currently considering purchasing one of three different Saeco
models: the Incanto Rondo, the Magic Comfort Plus, or the V'spresso. I
am leaning towards the Incanto Rondo, as it is the most recent design
and two of its new features appeal to me, the quieter ceramic grinder
and the SBS flow restriction, which seems to give greater control over
the extraction.
While these seem to me to be desirable features, I do not have any
direct experience with any of these three machines, and I was hoping
that someone who has used one or more of these three machines could
tell me what the appreciable differences are between them, and which
would be the best choice.
Thanks.
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Date: 07 Jan 2007 13:59:11
From: blallik
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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chucksutton@yahoo.com wrote:
> My apologies for polluting the group with another Superautomatic
> discussion, however I need the advice of someone who has used a few
> different Saeco superauto models to help me in my buying decision.
>
> I am currently considering purchasing one of three different Saeco
> models: the Incanto Rondo, the Magic Comfort Plus, or the V'spresso. I
> am leaning towards the Incanto Rondo, as it is the most recent design
> and two of its new features appeal to me, the quieter ceramic grinder
> and the SBS flow restriction, which seems to give greater control over
> the extraction.
>
> While these seem to me to be desirable features, I do not have any
> direct experience with any of these three machines, and I was hoping
> that someone who has used one or more of these three machines could
> tell me what the appreciable differences are between them, and which
> would be the best choice.
>
> Thanks.
For what it's worth, I've seen the Rondo as low as $499 at BJs
wholesale club. Call around if you are or if you know a member.
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Date: 07 Jan 2007 07:46:53
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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Right on.
there is NO shame to using a super. why is there here in this group?
whatever.
good for you Tom.
dave
Tom wrote:
> Well, I've been using the Saeco Vienna Delux for I guess about 8 years or so
> with only one major problem (computer board). I've learned to trouble shoot
> and replace the thermostat (a $5 part) twice in those 8 years. It's easy to
> get both advise and parts directly from Saeco. A superauto, as people have
> said, requires more maintenance on a regular basis. eg: empty grounds every
> ten shots or so, refill water every day or two, and once a month clean the
> two screens and lube the O-rings. Not rocket science. On the plus side (if
> those preceeding were negatives) is that, in the morning, you push the
> button and get a good cup of coffee assumming you are using good coffee to
> start with. We drink mostly Americano coffees and an occassional espresso.
> Both are good to our tastes. We've gotten an average of 8-10 cups a day
> every day for 8 years out of our machine. Original burrs still look good
> and do the job. Knock on wood, we've gotten our money out of the machine
> and won't hesitate to buy another one when this one finally goes south.
> Sure you can probably get better coffee with other machines but we're happy
> with what we get for very little effort. We roast our own coffee every few
> days so this helps the results.
>
> Tom
>
> <Omniryx@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1168024935.096816.39840@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Jack Denver wrote:
> >> Can you tell us why it has to be a superauto? The consensus is that a
> >> conventional machine makes better coffee.
> >
> > 'sides which, making espresso is just plain fun.
> >
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 14:44:59
From:
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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daveb wrote:
> no advantage in ceramic stuff.
> SBS? It's always been there.
>
Are you certain?
Reviewers have said that the ceramic grinder is substantially quieter
than the steel grinders of past models, though this is not a major
concern of mine
>From my research into the different models, it seemed to me that in the
newest models of the Incanto series, they have introduced a flow
restrictor which allowed you to not only control the volume of the
pour, but the rate of the pour as well, allowing for a slower
extraction that yields more crema. Regardless, it seemed in the
descriptions that I have read to be a new feature not available on
previous models, and one which seems to give the user a bit more
control over the finished product.
I am afraid that my household is in need of a superauto... we have a
semi-auto that just does not get used enough purely because it is a
hassle and messy. A need for convenience has won out over the pursuit
of perfection, and we have become willing to accept lesser quality,
consistant no-hassle results.
That said, I do obviously want to get the best results possible with a
superauto, and so that is why I am leaning towards the Incanto, because
it seems from the descriptions and the reviews that I've read to give a
further measure of control over the production of the shot. If the
flow control is not a new feature, or is really just of no use, than I
would be more inclined to grab the Magic Comfort + for about $150
cheaper.
I am restricting myself to the Incanto Rondo, the Magic Comfort + and
the V'spresso, because they are all models sold by Costco, where I am
planning to make my purchase due to their very solid return policy.
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 11:22:15
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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Jack Denver wrote:
> Can you tell us why it has to be a superauto? The consensus is that a
> conventional machine makes better coffee.
'sides which, making espresso is just plain fun.
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 21:41:58
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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Well, I've been using the Saeco Vienna Delux for I guess about 8 years or so
with only one major problem (computer board). I've learned to trouble shoot
and replace the thermostat (a $5 part) twice in those 8 years. It's easy to
get both advise and parts directly from Saeco. A superauto, as people have
said, requires more maintenance on a regular basis. eg: empty grounds every
ten shots or so, refill water every day or two, and once a month clean the
two screens and lube the O-rings. Not rocket science. On the plus side (if
those preceeding were negatives) is that, in the morning, you push the
button and get a good cup of coffee assumming you are using good coffee to
start with. We drink mostly Americano coffees and an occassional espresso.
Both are good to our tastes. We've gotten an average of 8-10 cups a day
every day for 8 years out of our machine. Original burrs still look good
and do the job. Knock on wood, we've gotten our money out of the machine
and won't hesitate to buy another one when this one finally goes south.
Sure you can probably get better coffee with other machines but we're happy
with what we get for very little effort. We roast our own coffee every few
days so this helps the results.
Tom
<Omniryx@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1168024935.096816.39840@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
>
> Jack Denver wrote:
>> Can you tell us why it has to be a superauto? The consensus is that a
>> conventional machine makes better coffee.
>
> 'sides which, making espresso is just plain fun.
>
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 09:00:24
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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P.S. -- expect to pay from $450 to 600 or so, for the complete rig.
http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/saeco/index.htm
dave
daveb wrote:
> Chuck, the Magic line is going to discontinue soon.
>
> The "Easy" if you can get it is a better value.
>
> no advantage in ceramic stuff.
> SBS? It's always been there.
>
> -- the Vienna or vienna delux does just as well.
>
> for water? get a Brita pitcher
>
> Dave
> www.hitechespresso.com
> Saeco / gaggia service SE.
>
>
>
> chucksutton@yahoo.com wrote:
> > To clarify, I am wondering whether the newest generation of Saeco
> > superautos and their SBS system give a large enough improvement in
> > espresso results to justify a $250 price difference.
> >
> > I am really trying to decide between an Incanto Rondo for $800 and a
> > Magic Comfort Plus for $550... If the new flow restricting SBS system
> > really allows you to brew a better espresso, I'd really be interested,
> > but if it is merely just another weak keting ploy, I'd like to know
> > so I can grab the cheaper model.
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 10:06:00
From: Jack Denver
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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Can you tell us why it has to be a superauto? The consensus is that a
conventional machine makes better coffee. I could see a superauto making
more sense in an office setting (though someone will still need to maintain
the machine & run the cleaning cycles) but for home use you could put
together a very nice grinder and brewer that would have much longer life
than any Superauto for the $1K or so that these supers will cost you. If
you change the burrs now and then and do a little maintenance, you could get
20 years or more out of a conventional setup but I'd bet money that most
superautos are in the junkpile within a few short years because it doesn't
pay to fix their rube-goldberian chip filled innards and you end up throwing
out both the grinder and the brewer (although maybe it's a blessing in
disguise not to have to drink mediocre coffee forever). I try not to buy
any combo device for that reason alone - one system inevitably goes bad
before the other and takes its Siamese twin with it to the grave
prematurely.
<chucksutton@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1167971175.639830.254610@51g2000cwl.googlegroups.com...
> My apologies for polluting the group with another Superautomatic
> discussion, however I need the advice of someone who has used a few
> different Saeco superauto models to help me in my buying decision.
>
> I am currently considering purchasing one of three different Saeco
> models: the Incanto Rondo, the Magic Comfort Plus, or the V'spresso. I
> am leaning towards the Incanto Rondo, as it is the most recent design
> and two of its new features appeal to me, the quieter ceramic grinder
> and the SBS flow restriction, which seems to give greater control over
> the extraction.
>
> While these seem to me to be desirable features, I do not have any
> direct experience with any of these three machines, and I was hoping
> that someone who has used one or more of these three machines could
> tell me what the appreciable differences are between them, and which
> would be the best choice.
>
> Thanks.
>
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 02:02:14
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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Chuck, the Magic line is going to discontinue soon.
The "Easy" if you can get it is a better value.
no advantage in ceramic stuff.
SBS? It's always been there.
-- the Vienna or vienna delux does just as well.
for water? get a Brita pitcher
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
Saeco / gaggia service SE.
chucksutton@yahoo.com wrote:
> To clarify, I am wondering whether the newest generation of Saeco
> superautos and their SBS system give a large enough improvement in
> espresso results to justify a $250 price difference.
>
> I am really trying to decide between an Incanto Rondo for $800 and a
> Magic Comfort Plus for $550... If the new flow restricting SBS system
> really allows you to brew a better espresso, I'd really be interested,
> but if it is merely just another weak keting ploy, I'd like to know
> so I can grab the cheaper model.
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Date: 04 Jan 2007 23:08:51
From:
Subject: Re: Need Help Comparing Saeco Superautomatics
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To clarify, I am wondering whether the newest generation of Saeco
superautos and their SBS system give a large enough improvement in
espresso results to justify a $250 price difference.
I am really trying to decide between an Incanto Rondo for $800 and a
Magic Comfort Plus for $550... If the new flow restricting SBS system
really allows you to brew a better espresso, I'd really be interested,
but if it is merely just another weak keting ploy, I'd like to know
so I can grab the cheaper model.
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