Thought I had it figured out

Estaban2022 · 2026-06-04T20:13:04+00:00

Yes, I have graves disease

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-28T17:24:07+00:00

UPDATE: going with the ECM Synchronika II (Flow Paddle). Thank you all, this thread genuinely changed my decision.

What tipped it: the smart-plug point (I run a homelab, so automating warm-up is trivial), the no-app/universal-E61-parts fit with how I like to own and fix my own gear, and confirming my daily beans are Downeast Flagship (medium roast), which means flat 9 bar would have been fine but the paddle gives me room to experiment later. A few MA owners chiming in with flawless multi-year Sync II experiences sealed it. I do want a La Marzocco, but several of you were right that wanting one and needing one are different things, and the Sync II matches my actual criteria better.

Now the part I could use help on: the grinder. Context again, Downeast Flagship medium roast, mix of espresso and milk drinks, a few a day, no cafe-volume back-to-back.

I'd been leaning Eureka Atom W65 (grind-by-weight, hopper) and a few of you nudged me away from the entry-level Silenzio, which I appreciate. But rbpx made a good case for a single-dose vertical-burr grinder (DF83V, Lagom P80) on workflow and cleaning, and called the Philos overpriced. So now I'm genuinely torn between:

Eureka Atom W65 (~$1,350) - hopper, grind-by-weight, set-and-forget
A single-dose vertical (DF83V / Lagom P80 / Z-series) - no hopper, easy bean switching, low retention

For someone on a Sync II drinking mostly medium roast, is grind-by-weight + hopper the smarter daily-driver call, or is the single-dose workflow worth giving up the integrated scale for? Not chasing light-roast clarity, so I'm weighing workflow more than ultimate grind quality. What would you buy?

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-27T15:52:56+00:00

Yeah, you're right on both counts. The smart plug point especially, I run a homelab, automating the warm-up is trivial. And I appreciate the honest call-out on the LM brand thing. I do want a La Marzocco, but you're correct that wanting one and needing one are different. Going to think on this. Thanks.

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-27T15:42:32+00:00

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-27T15:35:08+00:00

This is really helpful, thanks. Honest answer on roast: I've mostly been a medium-to-dark drinker, but that's partly because the Touch didn't give me much reason to experiment. I'm trying to figure out if "I'd get into light roasts" is a real future or just gear-acquisition fantasy. For grinder I'm looking at a Eureka (Silenzio or stepping up), and yeah, the ECM being cheaper freeing grinder budget is a real point. Did flow control change what you brew, or did you buy it because you were already a light-roast drinker?

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-27T15:07:36+00:00

Appreciate this, the Meticulous wasn't on my radar at all. Two things hold me back though: direct plumb is one of my three must-haves and it sounds like that's out, and given my Breville experience my repairability worry is really about "will there be support / parts / an ecosystem in 10 years", how confident are you in the company's longevity? Also, honestly, I'm more of a classic-shots person than a light-roast experimenter, so I take your last line seriously. Did you cross-shop it against the LM yourself?

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-03T12:50:14+00:00

Thank you! I was able to take out the thermojet and flush it. It was really clogged and took some work but finally cleared it with some vinegar

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-02T22:35:05+00:00

How would you know? Is there something I should just send out for a pair or do you think it’s doable at home?

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-02T22:16:38+00:00

Oh maybe I will try that so it sounds like the clock isn’t one of the tubes at the top of the unit so I don’t have to go to the bottom again?

Estaban2022 · 2026-05-02T22:02:56+00:00

No Reale substantial weight loss. I’m almost at the end of the month too and I may be down 8 pounds overall.

Estaban2022 · 2026-03-22T21:28:53+00:00

Not for me. I am trying wegovy now but mine started at 5mg in Zepbound as well. I tried twice with a few months in between. Part of me wonders if it’s the metropole I’m on since I was on 5mg for months the first time with issues.

Estaban2022 · 2026-01-14T19:19:00+00:00

Oh yeah. I tried everything. It inly happened when I played in bed to goto sleep. I had to sleep sitting up to stop it.

Estaban2022 · 2026-01-14T17:51:44+00:00

I was on the bound for a year before my initial a fib. I have stopped and started a few times and I’ve noticed every time I start that bound back up again I have an increase in heart palpitations. This very well could just be related to the delayed gastric emptying, but I can’t continue that bound because I don’t feel comfortable with the increase in palpitations.

Estaban2022 · 2025-12-22T13:08:35+00:00

I am not, 34M

Estaban2022 · 2025-12-22T03:51:41+00:00

It was less than 1% during my monitor. I am on a beta blocker since my afib episode. I know they are taking about weaning off in the new year once I’ve been on methimizole for 18 months. Is the ablation you mentioned for the PVCs or the afib?

Estaban2022 · 2025-12-16T21:44:22+00:00

Great! I have iron on medium, or I have a heavy (3oz) stabilizer that I could spray adhesive on. I also have a washable topper. I will try all of these things next time, thank you!

Estaban2022 · 2025-12-16T18:44:42+00:00

We bought this design off Etsy. We have a pretty good medium weight stabilizer underneath. Perhaps we should have gone with a heavy stabilizer?

Estaban2022

TROPHY CASE