The la specialista maestro espresso machine is a wonderful espresso machine. I have had mine for a few months and I make a latte almost every day. The taste that this machine is able to produce is excellent. I no longer need to get a latte anywhere else. I do tend to use the steaming wand more than the lattecrema attachment. The only thing I wasn't really thinking about when I bought it and it would have been nice to know, is unless you don't want to switch out the beans there is no easy way to get the beans out of the hopper. I researched and found out some other machines have a locking hopper feature that allows you to switch out the beans. Honestly though, I only use one type of espresso bean so it isn't a big deal to me.

I love the machine. Its beautiful and definitely a show piece. However it took sending me 3 of them to get one that completely works. Now the third one has some inconsistencies with the single and double cup filters. Italian design made in China. Wayfair customer support is the best and were very accommodating. Delonghi customer service was not a great and the last agent was just rude. All in all I love the features, it makes amazing espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, coffee,Americano and flat whites. The automatic features allows people who are new to this a way to ease into it and the books they send with it gives history of the beans and the best kind to use. It really is a fantastic machine once you get a good one.

Absolutely fantastic machine

Bought this as a big birthday present to myself. Had it for a few months now. I've used the manual steam wand rather that the auto head which goes on the jug and have now perfected my steamed or frothed milk. I'm still working on my latte art but I'll get there. It's been fun to learn the barista skills it's not as easy as you think. In terms of brewing a coffee perfectly it takes time to learn this machine. But it rewards perseverance to find the right grind level, infusion temperature and dose to get the all important brew gauge smack bang middle in the ideal brew range. The reviews all say the sage is a better machine for those who want to put beans in and get a coffee shop drink out. However all the reviews say this machine is a better one for the hobbyist who ... MoreBought this as a big birthday present to myself. Had it for a few months now. I've used the manual steam wand rather that the auto head which goes on the jug and have now perfected my steamed or frothed milk. I'm still working on my latte art but I'll get there. It's been fun to learn the barista skills it's not as easy as you think. In terms of brewing a coffee perfectly it takes time to learn this machine. But it rewards perseverance to find the right grind level, infusion temperature and dose to get the all important brew gauge smack bang middle in the ideal brew range. The reviews all say the sage is a better machine for those who want to put beans in and get a coffee shop drink out. However all the reviews say this machine is a better one for the hobbyist who wants to learn the art of being a barista and they are not wrong. All I've added since buying machine are the double walled glasses a jug thermometer and a knock box. My little coffee shop is open for business haha. In all honesty I love my machine and to round it off it's such a focal point in the kitchen. It looks amazing with the stainless and gauges. It's an investment but one I do not regret one bit. Recommended to all.

Barista resista

Can I tell you I’ve been making coffee wrong this whole time. Since the delonghi, now after that sweet honey crema in the morning girls don’t want to run away. That’s right. It’s never been about “bow chica chica wow wow” that makes them leave. It was my poor Starbucks wannabe disaster of coffee making. Yes. On occasion getting the names wrong as well.This machine is a blessing. Like seriously. It should be your new commercial. “Delonghi making them stay around until after coffee” or “delonghi, that’s what she said” on a serious note. I thought this was some full course study on how to make an espresso or latte and I’d have to read for months. First this is a beautiful looking machine. Elegant, classy sleek magnificent. Second. This was ridiculously easy to use and ... MoreCan I tell you I’ve been making coffee wrong this whole time. Since the delonghi, now after that sweet honey crema in the morning girls don’t want to run away. That’s right. It’s never been about “bow chica chica wow wow” that makes them leave. It was my poor Starbucks wannabe disaster of coffee making. Yes. On occasion getting the names wrong as well.This machine is a blessing. Like seriously. It should be your new commercial. “Delonghi making them stay around until after coffee” or “delonghi, that’s what she said” on a serious note. I thought this was some full course study on how to make an espresso or latte and I’d have to read for months. First this is a beautiful looking machine. Elegant, classy sleek magnificent. Second. This was ridiculously easy to use and figure out. Dosing and tamping and then the absolute fragrance that’s nothing like a coffee shop in any way. It’s mouth watering. Once you tweek it all to the right settings which takes a couple tries. But oh wow. I felt like a barista in my own home.

Fantastic

It takes a while to get used to a new machine and we have it worked out to our liking now. Take your time, make small adjustments on one thing at a time and you will get there. Weve also tried a lot of different beans, some great and some not so great but thats also part of the learning process to find your personal taste. Have fun and dont think you have made a huge mistake because within a few weeks you will know exactly what you are doing. The water tank is a great size and using the milk jug to froth is interesting because I had so many fails that Id given up and then suddenly the milk frothed just like in the cafe. Cleaning is easy and lights indicate everything that needs attention. Descaling liquid can be purchased in a large bottle that covers 5 scales so ... MoreIt takes a while to get used to a new machine and we have it worked out to our liking now. Take your time, make small adjustments on one thing at a time and you will get there. Weve also tried a lot of different beans, some great and some not so great but thats also part of the learning process to find your personal taste. Have fun and dont think you have made a huge mistake because within a few weeks you will know exactly what you are doing. The water tank is a great size and using the milk jug to froth is interesting because I had so many fails that Id given up and then suddenly the milk frothed just like in the cafe. Cleaning is easy and lights indicate everything that needs attention. Descaling liquid can be purchased in a large bottle that covers 5 scales so its worth purchasing that for future use. Pull the handle down (twice works best) and the first time you forget can be a little messy but its easily cleaned. You wont need your kettle any more, we use the hot water to make tea and its perfect so thats a bonus. Overall we would recommend this machine, we have owned at least 5 different machines over the years and we love this one.

Good Product

I've wanted this particular model for a while now and finally bought it. It arrived and was really easy to unpack and set up with clear instructions on how to make the best coffee and maintain the machine.It does take practice so be prepared to waste some coffee in the beginning trying to get the dosing correct but this is normal and for the best.The only problem was in my machine the pressure gauge arrow was not moving at all when making espressos. The coffee it made was great so I couldn't tell if it was me doing it wrong or the machine, but after getting in touch with the company they said it should be working. It has been really easy to exchange it since it is under the 30 day purchase and the fault identified. I am now waiting on the new machine and ... MoreI've wanted this particular model for a while now and finally bought it. It arrived and was really easy to unpack and set up with clear instructions on how to make the best coffee and maintain the machine.It does take practice so be prepared to waste some coffee in the beginning trying to get the dosing correct but this is normal and for the best.The only problem was in my machine the pressure gauge arrow was not moving at all when making espressos. The coffee it made was great so I couldn't tell if it was me doing it wrong or the machine, but after getting in touch with the company they said it should be working. It has been really easy to exchange it since it is under the 30 day purchase and the fault identified. I am now waiting on the new machine and hopefully there won't be a fault with that one.Otherwise realy happy with the quality of the coffee and the machine itself, would recommend to anyone looking for a high standard machine.

Great coffee. LatteCrema system is not worth it

It makes great coffee but I’m now returning my second unit after spending hours troubleshooting each one to get the automatic milk system to work. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. With the same circumstances and the same process. I’m just sick of trying to figure out how to get it to make a cappuccino every single time I push the button. Never mind that I have wasted literally 3 bags of coffee trying to figure it out. I had a FaceTime with Delonghi, I used FaceBook forums to get expert help one of whom was a Delonghi employe, I watched all the company videos. I’m tech savvy and smart. For this much money I should be able to plug it in and go. I’m returning to Williams Sonoma. Maybe we will get a Prestigio but I am taking a week to think about it. I do not ... MoreIt makes great coffee but I’m now returning my second unit after spending hours troubleshooting each one to get the automatic milk system to work. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t. With the same circumstances and the same process. I’m just sick of trying to figure out how to get it to make a cappuccino every single time I push the button. Never mind that I have wasted literally 3 bags of coffee trying to figure it out. I had a FaceTime with Delonghi, I used FaceBook forums to get expert help one of whom was a Delonghi employe, I watched all the company videos. I’m tech savvy and smart. For this much money I should be able to plug it in and go. I’m returning to Williams Sonoma. Maybe we will get a Prestigio but I am taking a week to think about it. I do not recommend this machine.

Steam wand won't create latte microfoam

The maestro produces good espresso (though I think it has a tendency to read higher on the pressure gauge than is actually expressed) but the steam wand is way underpowered. The steam wand produces heat, but not the force to create an acceptable "vortex" or milk-roll within the milk jug. This means that the air induced when frothing will never adequately be introduced to the milk and you'll never wind up with anything other than bubble-filled foam at the top. If your expectations are very low or you're inexperienced with frothing silky microfoam, you may think it's fine. But if you understand the basics of milk frothing, this thing will frustrate the heck out of you.

Terrible experience. Machine Kept tripping my circuit breaker. Returned!!

While the coffee was decent quality, the machine i purchased seemed to have some internal issue that caused my house power circuit breaker trip everytime it brewed a shot of espresso. The tamping, grinding, streaming are all kind of acceptable but still paying $1500 AUD for this machine was not a convincing call. On top of it i was charged $198 by my electrician only to prove that house electricals were all OK but the machine was at fault. Terrible experience with Delonghi. I trust good guys to be considerate as they have always been and give me $198 refunds or store credits for my next coffee machine. To be seen!!