[MatP]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

That depends. Have you ever been to Italy?

Isn't that the truth. Almost makes you wish you never had that first hit. Has to be how a heroin addict feels.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by MatP

Isn't that the truth. Almost makes you wish you never had that first hit. Has to be how a heroin addict feels.

Mat knows what I'm getting at.

Originally Posted by LPM911

nope.

This works in your favor. The amount of money you need to spend on a good espresso setup is directly affected by whether or not you've been to Italy. I had a small, decent machine that was OK for making cappuccinos and lattes and so-so at espresso. It was good enough for me before I went to Italy for the first time. When I got back, I made myself an espresso, took one sip, dumped it down the drain and started shopping for better machine and ended up with the one you see pictured in this thread.

I've been asked by a couple other for info as well. I'll start a separate thread on the stupidity of trying to make good espresso at home.

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

I'll start a separate thread on the stupidity of trying to make good espresso at home.

Just a thread?!? There are whole web sites/ forums! You need to get these guys onto home-barista.com.

The 914 and long hood guys will be into the lever machines, the 997 guys will go after the fully autos, etc..

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by BlackTalon

Just a thread?!? There are whole web sites/ forums! You need to get these guys onto home-barista.com.

I know. I was trying to be nice. Sending n00bs to home-borista is like sending the guy who's casually looking at an older Porsche to the Early S Registry. The intensity of the minutia can be a little overwhelming.

[MatP]

I actually liken the chase for perfect espresso to entering the world of vinyl from an audiophile standpoint. It's this entire other dimension and once you start down the path, you simply cannot stop.

I was able to resist vinyl but I am finding myself ever more frequently yearning for that elusive black nectar. I have spent many hours on coffee geek but I just end up frustrated. I have to close it out and move on.

Another trip to Italy next year tho so all is not lost

[Vicegrip]

I have a 4 foot tall stack of LPs I need to sort through someday.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

I have a 4 foot tall stack of LPs I need to sort through someday.

Found maybe 7 feet of Readers Digest LPs (all types through the years) in my in-laws house... won't be sorting through them though