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So I got the X7.As for the machine itsself, I am very impressed with the quality. Also, the price was cheaper that what I had found on some other websites - - and Illy's own website for that matter. I also read some other reviews in the Cigar Aficionado and Time that praised the X7 as well. I recommend this as they are beautiful cups and look very cool sitting on top of the machine.
Hmmmm.Cleanup is a breeze because I do not have to fool with coffee grinds or the soggy coffee pods. No cleanup. I figured I would try the capsules because they are the new thing. I first had to decide between the X6, which uses the pods, and the X7, which uses the capsules. My purchase online was very convenient and the shipping was first class and fast - eventhough I did the free shipping.
Now for the coffee. The X7 makes as good a cup of espresso as you are going to find. This is a much higher quality than you see on cheaper machines at the department store. I mean really, this is what Francis Ford Coppola uses (just Google his name and Francis X7 to see the article). It is not a big machine, but it is heavy and very sturdy.
The steam button on the far right of the machine lights up as well when the machine has warmed enough to produce steam. I received my X7 in January 2009 and I could not be happier with my purchase.First, let me start with Amazon. I tried the dark roast, but the medium roast "lungo" tasts the best and makes a bigger cup of coffee. I do not know how the machine does this, but the X7 makes a bigger cup of coffee with the "lungo" capusule than the regular espresso capsule on its own without adjusting any of the settings.
Just remove the coffee arm from the machine and turn it upside down over the trash and the capsule is gone. No mess at all. And one more thing.
As of today, Amazon is about $200 cheaper than the Illy website.Now for choosing the coffee machine. get the Red one. The buttons are made out of a very interesting soft material that actually glow when the machine is on and ready.
Nothing rattles. I did sign up for the home delivery on the Illy website to get the free cups and saucers.
I am interested of getting one after seeing the rave reviews it received. Then I found that the same product is sold at 199 euro in Italy, what is $260 at today's exchange rate. I decide not to buy it now, either the price will go down, or i can bring one home when visiting Europe.
I've been a faithful FrancisFrancis user for years. It's just frustrating to deal with the waiting. This machine, however, is very reluctant to switch modes between brewing and steaming.
Since Francis Francis has been taken over by Illy, their customer service has become nonexistent, so I haven't been able to get the parts I need to fix it.I was excited by the new iperespresso capsules, so I decided to go with the X7. This doesn't sound terrible, but the espresso is sitting out all this time, and I'm getting late for work. I loved my X1, but it needed repairs.
It's not uncommon to wait five minutes between pulling the shot and the machine deciding it's ready to steam the milk. The espresso is as good as advertised. But my wife and I each make a latte every morning.
The machine produces good results, especially the espresso. I've tried to contact the company to see if there was any sort of work around for this problem, but as stated above, FrancisFrancis's once wonderful customer service has dropped off the face of the Earth now that Illy runs things.
I always assumed that service such as replacing seals was a given. It's very good looking even though the body is plastic. Not too big for small kitchens. But after tasting the coffee in a Sur La Table store, we were sold on the simplicity of the Illy machine. Too bad it's not recyclable without emptying out the coffee (which is a pain). I even considered the Automatic / separate grinder combo.
Fill the side reservoir, insert a capsule in the handle, and push the button. Operation is a breeze. Less than 30 seconds later you have a perfect shot. PERFECT EVERY TIME. I'll try not to gush too much - first the basics:The machine is a little bigger than a traditional drip machine. With this method it only takes about 45 seconds to go back to regular coffee making.Cleanup is simple because there is no exposed coffee grounds. The capsule remains intact and you just throw it away.
We just throw ours away.The buttons and knobs have a nice rubber coating and feel great to the touch. When turned on the machine makes a gentle "beep" to let you know it's up to temperature.Prior to this machine, I've had a bigger Faema manual machine as well as a Gaggia. If you want to switch back to coffee then you need to know a secret not published in the manual. The metal accents, trim, and face look truly high end. This machine does not require any regular servicing.
For steam, you push the steam button, wait a few seconds, then voila. Rather than switching back with the button and waiting for a few minutes, you push the button and then release the remaining steam by turning the knob. Amazing.So, when we first started shopping - I was ready to spend at least $1200 to get a super automatic machine. A $1500 machine did not taste any better - and was HUGE on the counter.So, if truly great coffee, simple use, minimal cleanup, low cost, no maintenance, and an attractive modern looking machine are in the cards for you - this machine is perfect.
I just returned from 2 months in Italy, so the "true" taste, aroma, crema and overall sensation of espresso served in Italy is fresh in my mind. After living in Paris for 7 years, I have been searching for over 20 years for a machine that can duplicate the espresso served in bars in Italy & France. Needless to say, I have purchased many machines over the years, and they have all fallen short.This machine arrived yesterday, and it produces espresso that in my opinion is identical to that served in a bar in Italy. Word of caution - I have never gotten such an extreme 'buzz' from a cup of espresso.This is the greatest. Highly recommended.
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