I have $400 to $700 , what espresso machine should I buy?

[MeanJellyBean]

I bought a Krups machine for about $100 and am now ready to move on to better espresso. Please give me direction and your recommendations. I'm not in the coffee business, I just enjoy it at home. Can you buy a decent machine that makes a great espresso for $400 to $700?

 

[jabba9]

$400-$700

after buying and returning 3 different machines (from $200-$600), i finally settle on the Digital Italia from Starbucks.

for me at least, the perfect machine...i am not an espresso expert (yet), and most of my coffees are with milk (latte, etc)...i love the way this machines feels, looks, performs...nothing like it in the price range

currently, they are hard to find, i bought a store demo for $700...i've read they go on sale twice a year, maybe in february...they list for $995, not sure what the sale price will be

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espres ... 644&Page=1

my .02

Mike

 

[ourcoffeebarn]

Here is a link to the coffeegeek reviews of the Rancilio Silvia, which is in your price range.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/rancilio_silvia

 

[rcs1]

Here is a link to the coffeegeek reviews of the Rancilio Silvia, which is in your price range.
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews/consumer/rancilio_silvia

:x

Please don't forget you need a good grinder to go along with this. It is possible to stay under $700 and have a decent grinder. I'd recommend the Lux from www.1st-line.com , at $170, in order to stay within your budget constraints.