Tabs, what is that monstrosity on your counter, the one that always makes perfect coffee, and how expensive would it be if I had to buy one?
Lots of $$$. Search Tabs' name and "coffee" - he made a couple of threads about it during the intial excitement (see below). Basically, if you are going to spend the money, spend it on something with approx the specs on the Salvatore machine, specifically:
- at least a couple of litres of boiler
- an E61 group head
Tabs' grinder is the Porsche of grinders. Apparently a
Mazzer Mini will last forever with only changes to the grinding burrs.
And in my opinion, as far as cheaper machines go, the
Solis Crema SL-70 is worth a look (my parents have one).
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=116455&highlight=coffee
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=123557&highlight=coffee
In the first thread, you even get to see my coffee rant.
(edit) This thread has so made me want to go get another coffee...