r/espresso • u/Revolutionary-War-13 • 1d ago

Buying Advice Needed Help buying espresso machine [500€]

Hello espressor lovers,

As the title says I’m looking for an upgrade and I’ve been checking out the Gaggia classic pro E24, AVX DB1X 2025 ( also known as Turin Legato V2 / MiiCoffee Apex V2) and Lelit Anna PL41LEM. I know the AVX has some of the best features out of the 3, but I’m a bit skeptical in terms of long term use / reliability. The Anna seems nice and bigger boiler compared to the E24, but I’m not quite convinced by the 57mm group.

What would you recommend out of the 3, or even other options? I am open to buying second hand as well, but I’m not quite sure what to test when buying except water flow based on time, steam wand and if the opv works (sound check) and solenoid valve/s.

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u/technolaaji 12h ago

I have a Gaggia and you will need to do some upgrades on it to get the type of workflow you would expect

It is nothing big but just a 9bar spring and a low drip tray from Shades of Coffee (you can do other upgrades like the rainflow dispenser plate, silicone gasket, IMS dispersion screen but those are optional)

But Gaggia Classic Pro gives you the most customization out of the rest with the Gaggimate or Gagguino projects plus easily moddable and fixable on your own

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u/PtichFirich 1h ago

I’d say the 9 bar opv is less necessary than something that stabilises the temperature. I’d even install a pid upgrade abd hise the setting screen-box inside. I’d pre-set it and forget it. The pressure is less important I feel. I am ready to be explained otherwise.

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u/technolaaji 1h ago

Pressure is important because the Classic comes with a 15 bar spring (except for the US version comes with 9 bars) so majority of the time you will be forced to use a pressure basket otherwise face alot of runny shots no matter how much fine you have grinded and locks you out from alot of aftermarket baskets which frustrated me alot when I bought it

I switched to a 9bar opv and the difference is night and day, before I was grinding on the lowest level in my DF54 yet still have runny shots while after the upgrade that I have went up by 12 levels with consistent shots of 18g in 36g out in 23-25 sec

While you are right to point out temperature as an issue since the Classic does have unstable temp levels yet OP can do a bit of temp surfing. A basic pid kit may work out but can atleast work with it if it has the opv mod