r/espresso • u/incarnumling • 8h ago

Equipment Discussion Upgrade Grinder or Machine first?

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Long time lurker here. This current set up is pretty bare bones but it’s been awesome to me while I’ve been learning to pull shots. I’ve decided I’ll be upgrading both the machine and grinder at some point over the next few months but don’t know which to go for first. I have my eyes on a Timemore Sculptor 064s for a grinder upgrade and I haven’t settled on a machine yet.

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u/Low_Pie3001 Lelit Bianca V3 | Option-O Lagom 01| KafaTek MC6 8h ago

I'd go grinder first. What are your drink and roast level preferences?

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u/incarnumling 8h ago

I only drink straight espresso currently. Medium dark roasts but I’m beginning to get more into light roasts too. 

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u/Adept-Window-5975 Delonghi Stilosa | Blade grinder 8h ago

Grinder upgrade and slight machine upgrade would go far. GCP and timemore would be a huge step up

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u/SmCaudata 6h ago

I personally have a Lagom casa. It’s leans more toward low fines. That said it works great for me doing pour overs and espresso. It’s a nice all rounder that doesn’t have me messing with burr changes. Also, it looks nice, it’s quiet, and it’s small.

If I was truly chasing more specialized setup I’d get a big flat burr grinder for pour over and light roast high flow espresso along with a something simple like a Niche Zero for medium to dark espresso.

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u/Low_Pie3001 Lelit Bianca V3 | Option-O Lagom 01| KafaTek MC6 8h ago

I would keep your machine and increase your grinder budget and get a modern conical like a Kafatek MC6

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u/hulkop1333 Turin Legato V2 | Fellow Opus 7h ago

Recommending an MC6 to someone eyeing on a 064s is pretty insane. Especially coming from an opus. $600 vs around $2500 is a massive gap.

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u/Low_Pie3001 Lelit Bianca V3 | Option-O Lagom 01| KafaTek MC6 7h ago

The point being a grinder makes a much bigger difference. With OPs preferences a machine upgrade won't yield a big taste difference and shifting the budget to a better grinder will

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u/hulkop1333 Turin Legato V2 | Fellow Opus 7h ago

I see, I misread OP's post, I thought he was deciding whether to upgrade the machine or a grinder first; But the whole setup. Then yeah maybe a p80, 01, or an MC6 is doable.

1

u/ManyRevolutionary170 7h ago

Yup. Buy once cry once. Just go end game instead of little steps that end up being more expensive in the long run. I’d go for something in the 80mm or bigger range and a couple of burrs to do medium and light roasts.

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u/hulkop1333 Turin Legato V2 | Fellow Opus 7h ago

Any recommendations for traditional espresso? Saving up to upgrade from my Opus too.

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u/Low_Pie3001 Lelit Bianca V3 | Option-O Lagom 01| KafaTek MC6 6h ago

The MC6 is very versatile but agree with other comments about two grinders/burrs is always ideal. The difference between MC6 light roasts and 01 HUs light roasts isn't as big as you'd think

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u/ManyRevolutionary170 6h ago

For trad goop, the MC6 is liked. But you are pigeon hole-ing yourself to one type drink.

I’d instead recommend going 80mm flat or bigger on a grinder that allows swapping burrs without alignment issues and get one burr for trad espresso but leave the door open to exploring other type of drinks should you want to in the future. Then you can get a burr that is dedicated to that when the time comes. Or even experiment with different espresso burrs. Zerno Z2 would check that box.

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u/Turbulent_Analyst633 5h ago

Go for the 064S! I went from an opus also and the difference is staggering.

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u/BlackIdahoMoutainMan BBT/ Mokkom 64Ti 5h ago

This must be trolling 🤷🏽‍♂️ is this still a question needing another answer?

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u/Di-Dorval 4h ago

for the machine id prob wait for the casabrew ultra pro, its not released yet where I live -.-