La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machine (PSC-16)

We love this machine and it has made thousands of excellent cups of espresso. Go for it! This brand is EXCELLENT and can be trusted.

The machine arrived securely packed and included the steamer cup and espresso shot glasses packed in the main box. We are pleased with the quality of the machine and the clarity of the instruction manual.

This is a product where you get what you pay for from the manufacturer. If you want the smoothest espresso from a low maintenance, timeless espresso machine, this is the machine for the job. You can't go wrong with one of these if you know what you're doing.

Yes you have to practice and work-it for a time. But it leads you to understand the brewing process, grinding coffee and buying good coffee. La Pavoni is not only a work horse but also a teacher, how good could that be!

The fact is La Pavoni Professional is small in size, and it can easily fit in the smallest of the spaces effortlessly. The piston setup provides you hands-on experience on the espresso making and with time you will know how the perfect espresso tastes. Beautiful chrome body and lever operation make it a breeze to do. In the end, it’s not the press-button-and-ready coffee model. You need to put in the effort and learn how to use the La Pavoni Professional Machine. The end result is very satisfying. Overall, I would recommend this espresso machine.

Very nice machine. Heavily and well-built. Looks like it should last forever. Good price. Works very well, just as advertised. Only problem is the cappuccinos are so delicious that I need to switch to decaf, or I'll never sleep again. Easy to drink too many!

Superb quality. Constant pursuit of perfection. Rewarding and profoundly interesting. Choose this one only if you really love espresso.

I've owned a euripicola machine in the past and after about 7 years it started to have issues. This model is fantastic and the 16 cup capacity is definitely working out better for entertaining.

My first few attempts at pulling a decent shot of espresso were dismal failures. I had watched many videos on YouTube and read the instructions in the reviews and forums, but the shots I was pulling had no crema and were bitter. I was using a Breville grinder set on espresso and Peet's French roast which I got from the grocery store.

So the two variables that I was probably not getting right were the coffee and the grind. I solved the grind by purchasing the outrageously priced Mazzer Mini. (It's a tank and will outlive me, I'm sure). Then for coffee, I went to a highly regarded local coffee roaster and got some advice from the roaster himself on the right coffee to use for the machine. I chose 2 blends - a medium roast espresso and a dark roast espresso (the dark roast was against the advice of the roaster but I like dark roasts). The roaster made me a latte with the medium roast espresso. He used whole milk from a local creamery that used only Jersey cow's. It was rich and creamy so I thought I'd try that too.

So what I learned from all of this is that you really have to pay attention to all the details if you're going to have success with this machine. Get your coffee grind right, figure out the right tamping pressure, prepare the machine, and most important use the best and freshest coffee you can find. It will take some time to get it right (3 weeks for me), but in the end it will be worth it.

Great purchase! As advertised, took some experimentation to make passable espresso and cappuccinos. On-line YouTube videos (varied selection readily available) huge help in showing what the process looked like, what steps to take and what the variables were. Learning curve fairly steep; passable product wthin six tries. Still learning, but truly enjoying great drinks in the process!

It's important to get the full package for ease of preparation and process control. This includes burr grinder, 53mm tamper (I bought the wrong size initially and the plastic one La Pavoni sends is junk) frothing pitcher and thermometer. Haven't used the La Pavoni frothing attachment. Looks like an unnecessary device that would need a lot of cleanup.

Overall, the product is very easy to use and maintain. I really like being able to vary the flavor of my drinks by conscious choice. As the process has evolved, my wife has changed from skeptic to a huge fan!