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Date: 12 Aug 2006 16:39:03
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Le'Lit espresso machine
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There's a Le'lit PL041 for sale on eBay & out of curiosity I did some
research on it. From the reviews in CoffeeGeek & elsewhere I'd say this has
to be an over rated & over priced machine ($499 MSRP, $449 @1st-line).
They're actually comparing this lightweight machine with little or no proven
track record to a Silvia. So it has a solenoid valve, brass boiler, &
stainless steel shell? It's still a light weight, small footprint, no
support machine with a non-professional sized group.
Some contrarians might like it if they're wishing to poke a finger in the
eye of conventional wisdom that promotes the Silvia as the be-all, end-all
of home espresso machines. Why else would someone pay $50 less than a Sylvia
costs for a poor imitation of a
--
Robert (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?) Harmon
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
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Date: 12 Aug 2006 18:48:07
From: jim schulman
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 16:39:03 GMT, "Robert Harmon"
<r_h_harmon@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
>They're actually comparing this lightweight machine with little or no proven
>track record to a Silvia
The machine is one of the grand-daddies of pump home machines, and has
been around since the late 80s, badged as Quaha, Nemox, etc etc. Very
good performer that will apparently outrun Gaggias or Solis machines
(according to Alan Frew). The 3 way valve is new, and probably puts
the machine out of the $325 or so bracket it should be selling at.
There are things new to Texas known elsewhere.
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Date: 13 Aug 2006 00:17:22
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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If you look up the addresses of L'Elit, Giemme, Nemox and Imat they all
centre around a small area in Brescia, Italy. All use the same
boiler/element/solenoid/group/filter baskets. All give identical results in
the cup (about as good as a Gaggia, not quite as good as a Silvia) because
they all use the same type of water distribution method, a flat perforated
showerscreen bolted directly to the base of the boiler.
Based on local prices, the L'Elit should cost about 75% as much as a Silvia.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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Date: 13 Aug 2006 03:16:26
From: Cordovero
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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> Based on local prices, the L'Elit should cost about 75% as much as a
> Silvia.
Exactly. My hope was they'd sell for $380 instead of Silvia's $499. But it
hasn't turned out that way.
C
>
>
> --
> Alan
>
> alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
> www.coffeeco.com.au
>
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Date: 12 Aug 2006 20:16:25
From: jim schulman
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 00:17:22 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
<alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au > wrote:
>in
>the cup (about as good as a Gaggia, not quite as good as a Silvia) because
>they all use the same type of water distribution method, a flat perforated
>showerscreen bolted directly to the base of the boiler.
Hi Alan,
Do you have any insights on water distribution?
I got an Elektra Semiautomatica that's a basket case as far as
pressure (13-14 bar for singles), temperature (92C to 95C hump), and
dwell time (2 seconds flat) is concerned. Makes terrific shots. The
only thing distinguished about it is a really over-engineered double
dispersion disk (it uses the same bell as the current commercial
machines) making for great water distribution.
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Date: 13 Aug 2006 04:04:25
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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>Do you have any insights on water distribution?
Only know what I see. Had a Gaggia Baby (after a boiler cleanout) side by
side with a Silvia. Shot temps within 1 degree, pressures about the same (10
& a bit bar for Gaggia vs 11 for Silvia), Rancilio baskets in both, same
dose, brew time, volume. The Rancilio shot was smoother, fuller bodied, a
bit more flavour. The Rancilio puck seemed to have a smoother, more solid
top surface. Only reason I can think of is water distribution via the dual
layer Rancilio showerscreen.
Same with the Imats; I can never seem to get quite as good a shot as I can
get with a Silvia, although filter basket differences <might > have something
to do with it as well.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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Date: 12 Aug 2006 23:51:36
From: jim schulman
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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Thanks
On Sun, 13 Aug 2006 04:04:25 GMT, "Coffee for Connoisseurs"
<alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au > wrote:
>Only know what I see. Had a Gaggia Baby (after a boiler cleanout) side by
>side with a Silvia. ...
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Date: 13 Aug 2006 05:36:32
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Le'Lit espresso machine
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No one should be paying $500 for silvias.
a little shopping a 2 or 3 phone calls will get it below $450
typically. -- shipped.
example = Chris's
[ hard to haggle with just a mouse]
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
DAve
Cordovero wrote:
> > Based on local prices, the L'Elit should cost about 75% as much as a
> > Silvia.
>
> Exactly. My hope was they'd sell for $380 instead of Silvia's $499. But it
> hasn't turned out that way.
>
> C
>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Alan
> >
> > alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
> > www.coffeeco.com.au
> >
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