After much research, the prima donna Avant and the Saeco Xelsis came with us to the final round. We opted for the higher quality optical Primadonna Avant with its proven technology.
Optics (5 stars):
The Avant looks like a professional fully automatic. Almost the entire machine is coated with brushed metal and fitted with chrome elements. No design gimmicks, everything is functional Seeming and the proportions are correct. Eben real Italian style.
Processing (4 stars):
The sheet metal work, surfaces and Insertions are of really good quality. At some points, the glued sheet wg lifts. whose residual stress something from the ground. So when our machine is the metal cladding of the water tank on the lower right side about 2-3 mm more than that above. Also around the display shows this effect and results in an uneven clear, tangible gap. (To this end, I have a comment in the review by R. Sühring written). Eben genuinely Italian - has been going well and.
Operation (3.5 stars):
The operation probably everyone gets clear after a short familiarization. About the display always you get all relevant information straight. Really ergonomic operation for a top model is terrible! For example: The two features coffee quantity and intensity are switched through in one direction only. If you want to reduce the amount or intensity, one must each by turn to get to the desired setting, any subsequent positions. That's very inconvenient for a standard function (simple coffee brewing). Added to this is that the display can not show all the characters correctly, UAZ as coffee grounds container.
When it comes to ease of use, the Xelsis the Avant is so clearly superior, where there is a TFT screen that can display text and graphics multicolored and correct. An open and accessible menu structure allows there a flexible and intuitive operation. Well - too bad for the Avant.
Handling (4.5 stars)
The interior of the machine with the removable brew group, pulp container and drip tray makes a very good, tidy and thoughtful impression. Even the coffee spout to the service door is very accessible and easy to clean in the interior when needed. For this reason, we have not decided on the new Delonghi ECAM 23xxx, where the adjustable spout behind the display is installed and no longer accessible to a thorough interior cleaning - a hygienic very critical issue, as I know from our Jura.
The filling of the water tank is compared to the Jura less successful. While the law could easily be refueled by the side of the top and even during operation must be pulled forward in the Avant entire tank. Then fill it with water, thus become more difficult to some, now without Henkel juggle thus spill over nothing and then reintroduce it into the slot. Well, get used to.
Taste (5 stars):
There is absolutely nothing to criticize. All TOP whether simple coffee or the various dairy specialties, the Avant brings considerably more from the coffee beans as our law (and was good!). Only the cappuccino is for my taste too much coffee with good milk froth. Since I'm going to have to experiment with the cursor on the milk container slightly to give the coffee a little more milk taste. Bar and cafe latte are excellent even with default!
Other (5 stars):
The machine has an energy label Class A or even A + (have it is not at hand) and meets the new and strict EU requirements. Standby power consumption was our instrument no longer measurable (ie
What could be better at the Top Model of Delonghi:
Ease of use for coffee quantity and strength too cumbersome (s. Above)
Font display on the display with some blemishes (s. Above)
Fitting / installation of the display, uneven visible gap (s. Above).
Automatic cut of 15 min. - Max. 3 Std. Too short. Should also be completely deactivated.
Conclusion:
Expensive? Elegant design, quality materials, excellent workmanship, as well as proven and reliable technology, plus a maximum coffee flavor standing over and offer a very good value.
Nevertheless, in this top class just interfere with trifles (s. Above), that's why I 4.5 stars (rounded up 5) for Primadonna Avant.
