As I am on the brink of starting a new café I run into the question; which machine to choose.

I narrowed it down to three. Synesso, LM Linea or Kvdw. I could do with some do or don't arguments in this.

Details; the place is going to be in Rotterdam (Netherlands) So Kvdw is close, LM is available and depended upon as anywhere in he world but If I chose for Synesso than it would be the first one in this country. So, there you got it, my dilemma. I hope to hear some reactions especially from those who know them all.

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if it's between a synesso and a linea, i'd get a synesso every time. but for my café i got a gb/5. if you're gonna go marzocco get a PID machine (either a gb/5 or a modded linea). i don't know much about KVDW except they're hard to get, right?
If you go with Marzocco, I read somewhere on this list that you can have it built/modded to virtually match a synesso as far as group separation with individual boilers for each grp head etc. There is some bling to owning a synesso. I met the owner / developer. Very nice and support is said to be tops. I have heard that repairs or upkeep can be costly but what the hay, these are the top of pecking order. It's all costly. Look into support from Synesso. Talk to them first. I know nothing of the KVDW.
Best wishes for the New Year...BX is with you all the way.
Joe
FWIW, I forgot to add that our machine is the Simonelli Aurelia two grp. Great machine I'm not sorry we have it but different class. I like one BX member's comment on the difference between the Aurelia and LM. He compared the Aurelia to a Mac and LM to PC's.
Simple concept but I get the point.....
Joe
Certainly, the lure of being the First And Only Synesso is a tempting mistress. But are you ready to be the one and only service for the machine? Are you ready for parts to be shipped from Seattle USA at whatever timeframe? Are you ready to be out there alone in the world of espresso machines?

If so, then maybe Synesso could be a good choice for you. But if now, I would always go with the tried and true - La Marzocco.

I liken it to Koenigsegg - sure it's cool and badass, but Ferrari has the better service network and is, well, Ferrari. I like Ferrari (and therefore, La Marzocco).

Happy Christmas!


edit:
I wanted to add - if you're willing to go KvdW, then go all the way. Have Kees build you a custom espresso machine - something wild like the one-off machines he used to do. Maybe have him build it with Marzocco components so that you can service it readily. But go for the gusto and make it wild and wildly expensive.
Thanks for the reply so far guys. Jays remarks are absolutely to be considered. The servicing of the Synesso is absolutely a point. This is what Synesso has to say about that;

"The Cyncra is designed to be service friendly and reliable. We use many
industry standard parts and have eliminated many common wearing parts."


And like Jay said it is very tempting to be the first and only.

On the other hand a machine from KVDW is a dream of many and working with it can certainly not be seen as a punishment. Beside the fact that the machines are made only 72 miles from here.
Karl,
Is Synesso, in there comment, trying to say that maintenance and up keep can be handled by a local technician?
The fact that KVDW is only 72 miles away is a huge consideration in some respects.
Joe
--
Ambassador for Specialty Coffee and palate reform.

Karl said:
Thanks for the reply so far guys. Jays remarks are absolutely to be considered. The servicing of the Synesso is absolutely a point. This is what Synesso has to say about that;

"The Cyncra is designed to be service friendly and reliable. We use many
industry standard parts and have eliminated many common wearing parts."


And like Jay said it is very tempting to be the first and only.

On the other hand a machine from KVDW is a dream of many and working with it can certainly not be seen as a punishment. Beside the fact that the machines are made only 72 miles from here.
Jay Caragay said:
Certainly, the lure of being the First And Only Synesso is a tempting mistress. But are you ready to be the one and only service for the machine? Are you ready for parts to be shipped from Seattle USA at whatever timeframe? Are you ready to be out there alone in the world of espresso machines?

If so, then maybe Synesso could be a good choice for you. But if now, I would always go with the tried and true - La Marzocco.

I liken it to Koenigsegg - sure it's cool and badass, but Ferrari has the better service network and is, well, Ferrari. I like Ferrari (and therefore, La Marzocco).

Happy Christmas!


edit:
I wanted to add - if you're willing to go KvdW, then go all the way. Have Kees build you a custom espresso machine - something wild like the one-off machines he used to do. Maybe have him build it with Marzocco components so that you can service it readily. But go for the gusto and make it wild and wildly expensive.

Totally agreed. KvdW + LM all the way.
For spectacle and build quality there is nothing to match the KVDW
Ability to source parts and service should be first. Quality of build of any three of your choices would mean minimal repair outside or routine maintenance.

I love my Synesso... I've had it for four years and I've done all my own maintenance. Everything has a redundant system, ... even when the control board for the Electronics had a problem, I've been able to reroute to always keep it online. The new ones are even built sturdier than my early model.

That being said.

Get the Kvdw. Easily one of the top two or three machines in the world, and all taking your location into consideration -- it should be number one on your list. And I agree with Jay. Have Kees do something special.
Thanks again for all the advice. It is absoluteley true, the machines of Kees being fab. That apart from him being a real nice guy. And it is good advice as well to look out for a "special". I have some things in mind that I'd rather discuss with him personally first before letting it out here. But when the moment does come I'll inform you all. Still it does surprise me that no one comes up with the g.o Linea so far.
what kind of grinders are you pairing the machine with?
Grinders; not sure yet. I am thinking of Anfim SC (modded with timer), Mazzer majors or Robur (g.o.d). Beside that I've had an offer concerning a Malkönig K30 Twin. Half a year old, for half the price but I am really not to sure about that one. Even though it is a very commonly used grinder here in the Netherlands.

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