Rocket Espresso Milano - Mozzafiato FAST (R FAST, V FAST)

https://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/en/espresso-machines/1423-2033-rocket-mozzafiato-r-fast-macchina-da-espresso.html#/2-voltage-110_v/4-color-black I got this machine and so happy with it. I used barista express for long time and used super automatic before that. I considered going dual boiler for faster heat up time for brew boiler but since this new model has fast heat up time and jt is HX model basically end game for home espresso. I got rotary model so i want to enjoy quieter sounds from machine and hopefully i can get my own place and plumb it later I use reverse osmosis water only

Rocket Mozzafiato FAST- very stable temperature and 10 mins heat up time while still having the classic E61 chrome Bomber look because if we are honest an espresso machine is a statement piece 

I recently bought a Rocket Fast R and even to my relatively amateur eye I can see advantages in the design that some others do not. A galvanised chassis, mounting the electronic control board high (away from water ingress should a leak occur), ease of panel removal and in the inclusion of a roller bearing on the lever cam

I’ve owned a few Rockets and have used a Fast R over the past year, I think it depends what you’re comparing to though, an Appartamento or TCA.

I have a Rocket Mozzafiatto and the Sette 270Wi. My friend has a Breville Infusor and the Encore. I use bottomless portafilters. She uses a pressurized basket. Her lates are 80% as good as mine. Her setup cost about 1/6 as much. The biggest difference between our espresso nooks is that I can steam while I brew, and I can pump out drinks for a large group fairly quickly. The other major difference is that I can service my machine, while she is more likely to replace hers. The cost of service is nearly as much as her whole machine, however. If we were espresso people, the difference between the machines would be more obvious. But a latte does a lot to mask that  How much are you willing to pay for 20% better drinks?

> Stop chasing perfection. When it tastes good enough for you, You've got your perfect drink.  This can't be emphasized enough. A refined taste is a curse more than a blessing. The best place to be is where you can appreciate the good stuff, but can still enjoy the basic stuff. I run a rocket Mozzafiatto and a Sette 270Wi. They are relatively high end machines among the general public, but nothing special here. I own the Mazzafiatto because it's reliable, repairable, uses fairly standard parts, can be plumbed, and it allows me to steam and brew at the same time. The Sette 270Wi has low grind retention, so I don't have to purge the machine every morning when I make my one cup of coffee. And the scale means I don't have to adjust a timer every time I change the grind setting. Both are functional decisions. If there were cheaper machines that suited my needs, I would have bought one of them. I originally had a BDB, but it didn't last as long as I'd like. It was cheaper to buy than the Rocket and had more features, but the Rocket outlasted it by a large margin, and has had a lower amortized cost.

There are already great comments here. I will just throw in the rocket mozzafiato (1500-1600€). Its so beautiful, comes with PID and shot timer. The steampower is great. Coming from Breville Barista Pro (basically Bambino plus but with integrated grinder), it is a huge upgrade. https://preview.redd.it/ytu4tguhzsse1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1216463a2915407cc2682cd1257cd05799415192

Had the exact same Lelit machine and am now sitting on a big rocket mozzafiato tank and coffee doesn‘t taste better. I also doubt that you will get any significantly better grinder than a niche. I changed to bigger burrs and didn’t notice any great difference to my Eureka Mignon. My next machine will be a compact one again..

My office uses a rocket mozzafiato and it works well. No plumbing and paired with a Specialita grinder. Only people allowed to use it are coffee club members so it stays pretty clean

I will be the oddball probably, but something about my Rocket Mozzafiato taking its time (\~11 mins) every morning is something I enjoy. A tactile feeling reinforcing slowness in life, given how everything else is built to serve you with zero wait time. I enjoy looking out the kitchen window while the machine makes its usual noises. I have optimized it by putting the machine on a wemo smart plug, so I can remotely turn on the machine while I brush my teeth in the morning, so by the time I come downstairs, the machine is primed and ready to go

Not one that you mentioned, but Rocket Mozzafiato uses a heat exchanger, allowing for simultaneous steaming and extraction. I love mine and would save you quite a bit of $$$.

But an upgrade from OPs current setup

GE Cync works fine for my Rocket Mozzafiato

Recently descaled my Mozzafiato for the first time after 3 and a half years. Have cleaned and greased the group a couple of times in that time thoug. It's easy to do but takes a bit of time. Keep an eye on the boiler pressure gauge and listen for your pump. Both because there is a lot of extra steam in the boiler with the descaling solution present. The guy at my shop told me that rockets don't usually have an issue here but some machines will recognize the thick steam for water and not pull fresh water from the tank which can kill the heating element. So let off some extra steam while the solution is doing it's thing and kill the power if it's heating up without the pump drawing water first. Took me about 2 and half hours with all the flushing and heating etc. I guess that's where most of the cost in a shop comes from. Just labor cost. Happy to stand corrected if I said something wrong and always willing to learn.