new 'australian' espresso machine?

askthecoffeeguy

I was lucky enough to have my new G10 serviced today (needed a replacement water filter asap) by John from Coffee Machine Technologies, and guess what he had in the back of his van?

None other than the first prototype of his new machine (as yet to be named) which can perhaps be best described as a cross between a La Marzocco FB/80 and a Synesso Cyncra

WOW!!!! Is all I can say - I'm not going to give the specs away here, as I'm sure that John would not want them to be made public, especially since this is a prototype machine...

What I can say, though, that these hand crafted machines are constructed in Italy to exacting specifications, there are only 4 units in existence at the moment, and, unless I am mistaken, I was looking at the only one in the country

It's probably no secret that the machine is destined for Andrew at the Mailing Room, in Canterbury, to be installed today - for Andrew to test drive the machine and to put it through it's paces

John describes the machine not as 'low maintenance' but as 'no maintenance' which is a big call, especially since it's early days yet, but he popped the top off this baby and I got a good look at the insides, and all I can say is, as I said above: Wow! When can I get me one of these babies!

The price tag is yet to be determined, but the idea is not to produce a budget version of other machines on the market, but to be at the forefront of espresso machine technology, with looks to match, and componentry which is second to none

And the machine doesn't look half bad either, with nice curves and sleek lines, and some solid sculpted timber (looked like stained cherry wood) on the sides

John gave me the run down on specs and components, but like I said, I aint gunna repeat that here - allI can say is: I WANT ONE NOW!!!!!

Pat

psaigh

Yeah, waiting for AndreasM to chime in here.  I can't beleive that my mates cafe over here (in SA) turned it down for a brand new FB80.  Apparantly it was developed by a guy who worked as a technition for both LMZ and Synesso at various different times. Can't wait to hear more about this machine.

askthecoffeeguy

Yeah the specs are very much in line with a LM / Synesso crossover, combining the best of both but without any obvious shortcomings. I'm only jealous that I didn't get a chance to put the machine through it's paces myself - I may have to visit Andrew at the Mailing room myself and ask if I can have a go on it! P

psaigh

I can't say without having seen the thing, but one (potential) shortcoming is that it's only temp adjustable in degrees centergrade, vs the synesso which can be adjusted to 0.1 of a degree farinheight. But once again, need to verify this, Adreas?

askthecoffeeguy

Jehosaphat! Who can taste the difference in coffee between 0.1F and another!

psaigh

Maybe not 0.1F, but 0.5F yeilds a difference in the cup.  Granted, we're really only talking about small, subtle differences that get obliterated with milk or go un-detected by "the average punter".  And in the whole scheme of things, it really only plays a very very small role and isn't worth losing sleep over, (consistency is far more important than tweak-ability) but at this calibur of machinery I was a bit suprised to see it measure in C. I'm really interested to hear about its group head configuration which looks really unique.

YeeZa

You didn't think to bust out the camera phone so we could all have a sticky-beak... oh well, I guess I'll have to wait until i head down south in a bit. Be great to get some stats up - or even a name wouldn't go astray

askthecoffeeguy

yeah the thought to take some happy snaps did occur to me - but considering the machine was intended for Andy, and I doubt he'd clapped eyes on it yet, I thought it might be a bit premature to post some pics up as far as I know there is no name or branding as this is merely a prototype, for Andy to test and to feedback upon - but it is currently installed and up  and running at the Mailing Room for any enterprising types who might plan to head down there and take a look andy tells me that work is madness until after father's day, though, so you might want to bare this in mind if  you're planning a fishing expedition! me i'm stuck at work most weeks as we're short staffed, the I'm looking after the sprog on the weekend - oh well... maybe I an entice her along with the promise of a baby cino! Pat