Bezzera - Strega

Yeah, Personally, I think the most forgiving dial-in -- and most versatility -- comes with hybrid spring levers. The pump pre-infusion, the ability to decide when to release the spring (based on time-to-first drip, basket fill-rate, etc), and the ability to modulate pressure by manipulating the lever -- all these let you adapt to a shot and gives you a good intuitive sense of where to adjust grind/dose, all in real-time. Yes, it's a manual process. I personally think it's easier (and more fun) than *programming* a machine at the crack of dawn. But, YMMV. That said, some Thoughts and Feelings ^(tm) about machines: **Bezzera Strega** - My personal runner-up, great value for money - But, requires some tinkering IMHO: - Fairly temp stable but needs a PID (fairly straightforward) - No OPV for pre-infusion; Ulka vibe pump is duty cycle limited to 11bar, which is too high for my tastes. I would prefer to replace the pump and install an (adjustable) OPV - no exhaust solenoid. Some crazy nut installed one, though, with a button no less! **Nurri Leva** - Well, I ordered one :P - Caution: uses La San Marco (55mm) grouphead. A dearth of accessories. **Londinium R24** - The original hybrid spring lever. - Incredible in cup - clumsy engineering and janky manufacturing. relies heavily on a british contract CM that is...not robust. **Profitec Pro 800** - A really well-executed dipper - A bit pricey? Lack of pump pre-infusion is unfortunate given cost - You can plumb in, but pre-infusion still limited to boiler pressure **Londinium Vectis** - Compact dipper style spring lever - great in concept, fast heat-up time - limited shot volume, needs lower doses, thin on body, great in-cup, small boiler which is moderate levels of ass-pain to re-fill. - launched during pandemic, has the QA woes to show for it. recent iterations have improved many of the issues plaguing it (defective grouphead casting, self-destructing pstats), but again relies on a contract CM that is not keeping up. **Odyssey Argos** - Spring or direct lever dipper style - Best bang for the buck of all time? - Basically unobtainium due to huge popularity/lead time. - temp stable via PID control of boiler pressure, comes at the expense of steam stability (but you don't care about milk steaming) - pain in the ass to re-fill the boiler - Very clever air bleed system enables multi-pull Fellinis to increase shot volume, without destroying the puck.

Yes, and get a calibrated tamper that gives you the option of 30 pound or 15 pound tamp. I found the 15 pound better for many coffee beans as pulled through a Strega lever machine.

I have the Bezzera Strega lever machine and it’s easy as hell. If I want to fiddle with it, I can, but really all I do is pull the lever and then yank my cup when the shot is where I like it.

Don't you own a Strega? Not recommended? Sounds like he's primed for a good lever machine...

I'd be careful with the assumption that flow control on an e61 (like the Bianca) will lead to a similar shot to what you're doing with your Flair. Lots of people report failure in trying to replicate lever profile that way. Shoot, some lever snobs even say the Decent can't do it (no idea, just repeating what I hear there). FWIW, I've had a bunch of E61 flow control shots, and never had one that replicates lever well. For the levers, there is a difference between the Pro 800 (Dipper) and the Strega (heated group head/pump driven preinfusion). Other styles of machines are out there, like the thermosiphons in some of the Londiniums. and hybrid piston design of the Nurri/Vostok machine. Probably ignore looking into that last group if you want to stick remotely close to your budget, but it's ultimately what I went with, for the flexibility to do lever, traditional flat, and turbo really easily. It's worth looking into the relative strengths and challenges of those designs. I'd probably take the Strega over the Pro 800, primarily for the electronically heated grouphead and the pump preinfusion. Apparently there are some mods to make that adjustable. Nothing wrong with dipper style machines, but they are a bit more work/monitoring. You did mention "hands-on feel," but with spring levers, you're not driving pressure through the piston manually. Maybe you already know that, just wanted to be sure! If you're looking for manual, the Odyssey Argos has its appeal (and can be converted to spring), or the Olympia Cremina ($$$). If you're doing a low volume of lattes, the Argos be appealing. Later on, you could always add a milk steamer and still be under budget.