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- From: silly tex <ferrante277.marcuscartier@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:10:46 -0700 (PDT)
1) Only the Classic and **current** model Silvia have both a 3-way
valve and an adjustable OPV. The Classic has **always** had these,
but
it's only recently that the Silvia came stock with an adjustable OPV.
[ RECENTLY?? -- ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, ACTUALLY]
2) Other Gaggia models don't have a true adjustable OPV. But for ~
$50,
it's very easy to add one - and since these machines were really dirt
cheap to buy, it made the need to mod your new machine more palatable
for some.
[THAT BUMPS UP THE COST, AGAIN ]
3) Even without the OPV mod, a stock Gaggia can make very good
espresso once the grinder is dialed in.
[AS CAN A SILVIA, BUT WITH A BOILER 3X LARGER -- STEAMS FAR BETTER ]
4) Gaggia models with a SPV are likely to leak hot boiler water back
into the reservoir. This leaking directly affects group pressure and
steam capacity. This is an easy fix costing ~$1. The Silvia is known
for its OPV leaking hot water back into the reservoir, causing a loss
in brew and steam pressure. They're a PITA to clean - requiring a
semi-
frequent partial dismantling of the chassis and the valve to get at
it
for cleaning.
[SILVIA OPV NEVER NEEDS CLEANING, SAME AS GAGGIA, AS LONG AS
DESCALING
IS DONE ON ANY SEMI-REGULAR BASIS ]
5) Every SBDU [ MORE JARGON, TEX? ] espresso machine is going to have
temp stability issues. That's just the nature of the beast and if you
want to tame the beast you either learn to temp surf (IMO a big
PITA!)
or you get a PID. Whether you have someone else install the PID or do
it yourself using a kit or parts you've assembled yourself is
immaterial - the PID makes a world of difference to any any SBDU
espresso machine! I put my own kits together, but pre-assembled kits
from http://pidkits.com or http://auberins.com work well. And unless
you were born with ten thumbs I'd never recommend shipping your
machine off to someone else to PID - very expensive!
[NOT THAT EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER IT COMES WITH - - -
- A WARRANTY ! ]
My advice: Do your homework before you buy anything, and take
anything
told you by someone trying to sell you something with a huge grain of
salt.
[MY ADVICE - - - ANYTHING SAID BY TEX --- CONSIDER HIS TOTAL BIAS
FOR GAGGIA AND AGAINST SILVIA ]
Tex
.
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