Oracle BES980XL

I purchased a PP500 in 2021 (anyone remember covid?) on a big sale from Wholelattelove.ca. I tried to buy the most machine for my budget (doesn't everyone?) and really wanted a prosumer \*repairable\* long term machine. The next model up (PP600 Dual Boiler) was $1000 more (not on sale?) and so my choice was set. We mostly drank milk drinks and so the HX was perfect. Luckily the sale model was offered with Flow Control (at that time, an add-on). (I love to tinker so getting Flow Control, typically only ever available on an E61 machine, was a must. When I upgraded my grinder, I had to get one with Variable RPM control. I like flexible systems) It's been a terrific machine and a vast improvement over the previous Dual Boiler Breville Oracle. No doubt a lot of this is due to getting a better grinder. As others will tell you, for the equipment-factor, it's the \*grinder\* that determines the quality in your cup, not the espresso maker. However, I have \*never\* suffered because my HX doesn't have the temperature regulation of the Dual Boiler. That's not a thing except for Light Roast coffees. Now, as advice goes, I recommend a Dual Boiler to someone else because ... why not? It simplifies things, and temperature management is increasingly important the lighter the roast you use. That is, if you stick to dark and medium roast coffee (most preferred in milk drinks) IMO you don't need a Dual Boiler. In fact, the milk-frothing / steam production of a machine is greatly impacted by the boiler size. My boiler is 2.0 liters. The PP600 Dual Boiler has a (slightly less than) 1.0 liter steam boiler. How is this better? Now, let me stipulate, if I were ever to buy another machine OF COURSE I'd buy a Dual Boiler (nhaaa... I want a Decent Bengle) because I now know that I love this hobby and why would i get rid of my perfectly-working machine for another HX? My point is: if money is no object, get a big Dual Boiler like a Lelit Bianca or ECM Synchronica II. If you need to make an "economic" decision, then you must shop for **BENEFITS** and not **FEATURES** (benefits are features that you **USE**). Similar to the "dual boiler only" advice you'll read, is the advice to avoid a Single Boiler UNLESS you only do non-milk drinks. This advice highlights the aspect that not only is the taste of your drink important but also the "workflow". If it's a pain to use your machine, it will detract from your enjoyment. You brew espresso in the 93c degree temperature range. You steam milk from a boiler set to +30c higher. Thus to do a milk drink with a Single Boiler means you have to switch your boiler between these two temperature ranges. Personally, I would avoid this hassle. If this doesn't scare you away then you must check out the [Quick Mill Pop Up With Flow Control](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5yXpC7Frhc). A very innovative machine. If you want to not bother with Flow Control, then definitely check out the Lelit Elizabeth (dual boiler). If you do consider HX machines, then Profitec and Lelit (Mara X) are popular choices. However, here is the necessary (but not very much fun) PSA: choose your grinder \*first\*. As soon as you go down this rabbit hole and you discover just HOW MUCH of your budget this will eat, it will greatly change your notion of what espresso-maker machine you can afford. And lastly, I'd say, as any will here who love this ~~sport~~ hobby, try to determine the minimum quality level in all of your equipment that you want - for the next 5 to 10 years. It's pretty typical for people to buy an inexpensive machine and 1 or 2 years later regret it and then step up and have to buy a second time (thus is the "buy once, cry once" meme). TL;DR I love my PP500 and it makes great coffee and is a pleasure to own and use (but there are many more choices out there today). Start by choosing your grinder, though.

\> There are a lot of machines that would work for me personally but are simply missing the ability for me to program a shot by time. For all I know at this time then, I would recommend going with a Breville machine. They have fantastic features and are brilliantly clever with \*what you would expect\* and want for your wife to easily control. However... My own experience (with Breville Oracle coffee maker, Tea Maker, Toaster oven 2x, etc.) is that they DO NOT LAST. My guess is that you should buy a Breville and delight your wife. When (not "if") it dies then you tell her you have to buy a GERMAN DESIGNED machine, by ECM, the Synchronika 2 - the \*LAST\* machine you will need to buy because it's built to last. Get it with Flow Control. Yeah, it's all manual but it can do it all. And it will last. End of story.