This is my first post on a very cool forum.
After lots of research my LaSpaziale S1 will be arriving next week from Chris. I have a Silvia/Rocky set up which has very nice over the past 3 years since my first Krups expresso toy. The S1 will be a big step up. I decided this was the right time to buy before the price increase. How different do you think it will it be working with the S1 versus the Sylvia?
So in the mean time I will continue to soak up all I can to get up to speed on this Italian beauty. I had considered the Livia 90 semi-auto but then discovered the S1 and decided the 2 boiler was my choice (versus hx). A plumbed in expresso machine is a step beyond what I had been considering. Now though, the thought of not having to refill the water tank is something I am really looking forward to.
My plumbing strategy is to locate the S1 near my sink. To avoid hole drilling, I will be giving up the sink spray noozle. I will also install the water softener/filter system per recommendation from Mary at Chris'. Got suggestions or tips when faced with a similar plumbing situation?
I roast my beans with a new I-Roaster. The motor for my old hearthware recentily burned out. The I-roaster is terrific. So I hope my roasting/grinding experience will help in the transition to the S1.
Bill
S1 is on the way
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Barry
Congratulations and welcome to the club. On the plumbing, I believe most in the forum have also installed the pressure regulator Chris sells and set the pressure around 20 PSI (with the machine off). I run mine around 18 PSI and my output at the head is around 8.9 Bar. Without the regulator, the pressure is around 60 PSI. I used a similar approach, for installation, not wanting to drill through the granite. I am not terribly familiar with the Sylvia, however, I have an ISOMAC Tea which I have moved to my office. The biggest difference is that the S1 is considerably more foregiving when pulling shots and has a much more powerfull steaming capability. Both machines will produce similar quality shots if you do everything right. I also use an I-Roast and purchase most of my beans via the online coffee-coop. The combination of the S1, I-Roast and Mazzer Mini has been outstanding. I just returned from two weeks in China and India and missed the S1 almost as much as my wife.