Its official, Silvia is a manual machine.

Dry_bean.

In a never ending thread on the other site some time ago, the know it alls and self appointed experts (officially) classified the Rancilio Silvia as a semi automatic machine, I maintain the view that its a manual.
So many months ago I emailed Rancilio asking the question, had completely forgotten about it when lo and behold what should appear in my in box this AM but a short and sweet reply from,
Sabrina Nebuloni
Sales dept, Rancilio Group spa, reading,

Hi,
Silvia is a manual machine (with filterholder to be filled in with grinded coffee)

So if the manufacturer says its a manual machine as far as I'm concerned its done and dusted.

beanflying

I suspect the reason to call machines of this style (start/stop with a button or brew lever) as Semi Automatic is to leave a general description of lever machines as Manual going back some time ago. Time has sort of moved on I suspect now as we now have Super Autos in the mix producing muck in a cup.  Not saying it is right or wrong either way but I like my machines as proper manuals  ;D