DRIVE (CM500009-00, CM500009-01)

Why are focused on Diletta when there are so many other similar machines available? For a very similar machine sold by dealers on the East coast, consider Profitec Ride (Whole Latte Love) or Quick Mill QM67 (Chris Coffee). Both are priced similar to the Diletta and are available with flow control. For a moderate price increase over the Diletta (but much less than LMLM), you could get Lelit Bianca, Profitec Drive, Quick Mill Vetrano, ECM Synchronika II (my favorite), as well as many others, all of which come with flow control standard or optional. All of these have rotary pumps, which make the machines much quieter and more pleasant to use, as well as allowing them to be plumbed in. If you want flow control, then Linea Mini makes no sense since it is a flat 9 bar machine. But if you have your heart set on La Marzocco, the Micra makes more sense than the Mini for most home users. Please take a deep breath and do more research before you dive in.

If you like the look of Apartamento but want a dual boiler, you have lots of choices. If you are OK with a vibe pump, Profitec Ride or Quick Mill QM67. If you want a rotary pump for quiet operation and ability to be plumbed in, then Lelit Bianca, Profitec Drive, or ECM Synchronika. If you like La Marzocco, then the Linea Micra is cheaper and makes much more sense than the Mini for most home users.

> is the main difference between these two machines (1) the rotary pump on the Drive and (2) the Drive having a slightly larger capacity / footprint? This is correct. Most people don't need the larger boilers of the Drive, but it can't hurt if you are going to use it at a party. The quietness of the rotary pump is a nice quality of life improvement. If you have the cash and counter space for the Drive, go for it! If you are budget-constrained, the Ride is also a great machine.

Micra is a great example of a classic flat 9 bar espresso machine. It does that very well. But a flat 9 bar extraction often isn't the best way to brew light roasts. Of your two choices, the Cremina (or other lever machine), or a semi-auto with more control, would be preferred. If it were me, I'd get the ECM Synchronika II with the optional flow control device. It's less expensive than either of your choices, and gives you more control over brewing. Decent DE1Pro would be another machine worth considering. If you are OK with with a vibe pump, and want to save money, then also consider Profitec Ride with flow control.

Those temperature measurements you see on this sub were made by people who don't understand how to measure brew temperature. Brew temperature is measured between the top of the coffee puck and bottom of the shower screen when brewing under pressure. Doing this requires a Scace Thermofilter or similar instrument. Any other method is going to result in a low temperature reading. Ignore any temperature measurement you see online that wasn't done with a Scace. I started my home espresso journey with a Barista Express. When I got a good grinder to use with it, it was like getting a whole new and better setup. I happily used it for 3 more years before upgraditis finally took its toll on me. When I switched to a Profitec, I couldn't detect any difference in taste. Start your upgrade journey with the best grinder you can afford.