Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I had been in a state of cappuccino-mourning for a year with the death of my Krups. I couldn't justify $500 for a decent espresso machine. Seeing this one was a fluke, but the specs impressed me, so I put it on the wish list with a few more expensive machines. How could anything this low-priced be worthwhile? The answer: The genius of German engineering! No automation, no programmable buttons, no fancy FET switches with flimsy interfaces, just well engineered parts for the parts that matter. You turn the switch on/off manually when you hit the preferred volume/strength. Yep, you actually have to use your well trained eyes to decide when it's time. Same with a nicely powerful steamer for froth. What you get is a pull with the richest crema ever! I have used coffee types and grinds that you'd never expect to work, and the crema is still unbelievable. I swear, you could put sand in the basket and still come out with a rich cup of coffee! In short: A no nonsense machine with solid mechanical switches. Small but powerful (You can squeeze in an average sized coffee cup, but not a mug). Quick heat-up time and a relatively quiet pump for an espresso machine. Large water reservoir that is sleek in design, so much so, you need to remind yourself to watch the water level. Because it doesn't have a bunch of thermo-blocks, you can switch quickly between coffee and steam without a wait. The 20 bar pump makes perfect coffee every time. Works well, is simple, and leaves you in control. (That's right my friend, drink that cup of victory, you made it!) No water leaks so far. I need to go to Berlin and shake SOMEBODY'S hand on this one. I don't expect to be buying another machine for a long time, and I'll be sad when that day comes. :-( (Of course, it's well made so it might outlast me!!)