Super value for money! 77

I have the 'Magnifica' from 'DeLonghi' now since January 2008. Prior to the acquisition, I have of course the appraisals on various fully automatic machines on Amazon looked at and decided due to the many positive assessments to buy this machine. Today, about 3 months later, I do not trust me to make a sound assessment to help others interested in their purchasing decision: is the price-performance ratio of this machine really unbeatable (especially after the recent price cuts)! Anyone (like me) looking for a reasonable fully automated system which simply makes good espresso or coffee, is easy to use and not too much emphasis on a 'show-optics', which is actually operated by the 'Magnifica' good.
On the subject of 'crema', which is very important for espresso lovers and which is assessed quite differently in this machine on Amazon, I would note the following: With the usual standard coffee / espresso places (including the 'luxury brands') I was initially of the result (despite various experiments setting) a little disappointed, the crema was thin and the sugar it disappeared in nanoseconds, but the taste was often good anyway! Then me an acquaintance coffee beans a private roaster has brought and the result was awesome! Super Crema (the sugar needed for about 5 seconds to decide whether he wants to sink into it), and super taste! Conclusion: If it comes Crema is not satisfied with this machine, simply should even try a different coffee / espresso places!
The only complaint about this machine: The hotplate for cups is a joke: The front and middle cup are lukewarm, the rear hardly the time! I think that you can get over but at the price / performance ratio, especially when the cups before simply 'heating up' with hot water.
Here summarized the strengths and weaknesses of the 'Magnifica' in my experience:

Strengthen
- Easy handling
- Easy cleaning
- Very good crema at the right espresso varieties
- Relatively compact dimensions
- No electronic 'nonsense'

Weaknesses (only one - to Lanzeitgebrauch ruling in May 2009 (see below) are there two!):
- Hot plate for cups worthy of the name does not!
- The pulp container is made of plastic according to instruction not dishwasher safe, which would facilitate the handling enormously!

All in all, I am with this device but still very satisfied!

Supplement my review for "long-term use" in May 2009:

Even after more than a year of daily use of the "Magnifica" I am still absolutely convinced of this machine. During this time, no problems have surfaced. However, in the meantime still a little "flaw" emerged: The plastic pulp container is according to instruction not dishwasher safe. Therefore, you should thoroughly clean every two weeks by hand no later than him, as can be formed (despite the relatively dry powder residues) Schimmel else!

Supplement my review in October 2013 (probably is a real endurance test!)

It's really great that there is apparently still are companies that produce genuine quality products. My "Magnifica" performed as before without problems their job! By the way I have it now dared to clean the grounds container in the dishwasher, although it is not recommended in the manual. Some positive comments had prompted me. Result: It is, and no problem with the plastic! However, I would still not clean it every day as a precaution in the dishwasher!