David Jones have the Dual Boiler for $1299, with an on screen extra 10% off to bring the price to $1169.10
Seems to be the best price for a new machine at the moment. Still not the greatest price ever, but not sure if the Dual Boiler will ever get back to deals at $1000.
I think it's because people like to choose their own grinder
If the grinder or tamp breaks - you're out an entire machine.
The BDB is considered one of the best affordable consumer grade machines. Remember that the grinder is arguably more important than the espresso machine itself.
Well the Oracle has a built in grinder which will place one limit on your quality ceiling that you can't get better grinding performance with an upgrade like the dual boiler. It also makes it trickier but not impossible to do some grounds distribution like WDT so your puck prep has a ceiling.
I can't remember what adjustments to temperature and pre infusion you have available on the Oracle.
The ~$1100 dual boiler with a ~$500 grinder will give you a higher ceiling of quality and consistency and adjustability than the Oracle at ~$1600.
At baseline though, with less experience making coffee, the Oracle will give you a better coffee and better milk (automatic wand is witchcraft, the DB can do just as good, with practice). With a little practice, better grinder, and puck prep the DB will win. The difference will be tiny for most people and if you're not getting into espresso as a hobbyist and the Oracle is down around $1600, get it.
I hope that helps people make up their minds. Both great machines.
The ~$1100 dual boiler with a ~$500 grinder will give you a higher ceiling of quality and consistency and adjustability than the Oracle at ~$1600.
Devil's advocate - what would make better coffee?
Dual Boiler with a $500 grinder or a Bambino Plus with a $1100 grinder?
Dual Boiler, a friend has the bambino and has issues with pressure and being able to grind finer. Especially for decaf beans. Friend has a niche zero grinder. I have the same with a rocket mozzafiato. I had the BDB for many years prior to the rocket. Great machine, recommended.
Definitely DB. Customisable temperature and pre infusion to suit beans, 58mm portafilter, better temperature stability.
Quality difference from 500-1000 in grinders is entering marginal gains territory.
Thanks for the explanation. If I get DB, which grinder would you guys advice to get?
Timemore 78S
I can't have decaf in the afternoon if I don't buy another grinder. I will always need one more grinder
Love this machine, but mine has just started to overheat less than 2 years old. Dealing with the repairs now, hopefully they don't charge to fix it
If you sort by post date, it's the best price it's been in the last 6 months. It might drop under $1,000 again eventually, but potential buyers could find themselves waiting for a long time
HoDL for better price
I think the RRP for these have been jacked up since the $900 deals we were getting last year. The RRP now is $2499 from Breville which means the current $1249 standard price is actually the already "discounted" price. Previously the RRP may have been $1499.
Sadly this may be the best price we might see from now on for these machines…
RRP from AU Breville is $2,199 for both Brushed SS and Black Sesame.
https://www.breville.com/au/en/products/espresso/bes920.html
do we get the 2% cash back via cash rewards?
Make sure to look up the serial number for the latest updated version https://coffeesnobs.com.au/forum/equipment/brewing-equipment…
shopback 12% !! even cheaper!!
Yesterday there was a deal for Oracle (BES980) which is also a dual boiler with grinder and automatic tamper. People said Oracle is a good machine but this dual boiler is better. I wonder what makes this model better than Oracle?
My coffee machine died the other day. Looking for a new one so trying to get something decent with a relatively affordable price. Looks like tax time deals started to appear. Hopefully I will be able find something good.