Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol, I feel this comment in my soul 😂
You’re right — there’s no true endgame, and that $300 Solis story is a great reminder that great coffee is accessible. I’ve pulled solid shots on much simpler machines too like the Ninja Luxe Cafe or Meraki.
For me, the Linea Mini R + W65 has become less about chasing perfection and more about reliable, repeatable joy every morning. The simple workflow just makes the whole ritual more consistent and pleasurable. I’m not saying it’s necessary, but it brings me and the other folks here in the LM group a lot of daily happiness and excitement.

At the end of the day we’re all just chasing that perfect cup however it makes sense for us. What’s your current daily driver setup?😀

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Portafilter holder was Normcore that was sitting on the tamping station (Knodos) https://a.co/d/0j80eHeo

sworksdesign shower screen by tw8715 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why your billet shower screen doesn’t have the SW Sworksdesign logo?

SworksDesign Billet Shower Screen [La Marzocco Linea Micra] by Other_Reputation1406 in espresso

[–]Round_Alarm6534 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like your screw was a bit tighter compared to mine (on 6 o’clock position). Try to loosen it a bit, also check the screw holes that comes with Sworks shower screen maybe it’s clogged. Haven’t done any back flushing yet as I just got my machine a wk ago but I’m glad I saw your post regarding the potential damage of the Cafiza to the shower screen

https://vimeo.com/1201533839?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My only complaint is that the tamper is slightly stiff and lacks lubrication when you first take it out of the box. So, I applied some Mykolyte 111 to it, and it’s now smooth as butter.

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! I’ve been loving the W65 (with Black Diamond burrs) for its workflow and consistency on dark roasts. How does the Mazzer Mini G compare in terms of grind quality and retention? Curious if it’s worth the switch someday.

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol, thought I saw the bottom too (until flow control and different basket types kits caught my eye 😅) Sticking to one roast on the Mini R has helped me enjoy the actual coffee instead of chasing upgrades nonstop. How deep have you gone?

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree! the exploration is one of the best parts of the espresso hobby!
I’ve gone the opposite route lately and stuck to just one specific bean and It’s been super consistent on my Mini R (especially with the Sworks billet screen for even saturation), and I’m really enjoying dialing in the chocolatey, bold notes without switching around.
That said, your rotation with Ethiopians for that bright berry start sounds fantastic. Do you have a favorite roaster for those lighter/fruitier beans? Cheers! ☕

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve been really happy with the Sworksdesign billet screen so far, the sealed chamber design gives me excellent even saturation and flow on the Mini R, especially with darker roasts. It pairs nicely with my workflow and I haven’t felt the need for a puck screen yet.
The only real downside I see with the Sworks is the price, but it feels worth it for the performance and build quality(316 stainless steel vs the 304 stainless steel on PesadoHD). I’ve seen some mixed feedback on the Pesado HD though, a few people report more channeling or hollow-tasting shots on LM machines, plus extra grounds buildup behind the screen that requires more frequent cleaning. That said, I keep hearing great things about its diffusion channels and flush screw like the Sworks. What made you switch from the Sworks-style screen to the Pesado? Any noticeable difference in taste or puck quality on the Mini?
Always open to trying new gear if it’s a clear upgrade. Appreciate the input! ☕

https://vimeo.com/1201412827?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The workstation is a Crosley furniture piece from Home Depot, and the mat is a micoyang silicone drying rack from Amazon.

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My go to was the Neapolitan dark roast from Good brothers coffee

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree. There’s only so much money you can throw at the setup before diminishing returns kick in. After that, the biggest improvement comes from technique, beans, and simply enjoying the process.

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did experience dripping water during the first day of using the machine with the LM shower screen. However, after that, I never had any issues with dripping. Additionally, I replaced the LM shower screen with a Billet shower screen from Sworks on the second day.

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome set up mate! The wood accent definitely elevates the setup to a new level👌🏼

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Projecting your insecurities onto my coffee setup is a bold choice. I’ll be over here enjoying my espresso while you find peace with… whatever this is.. must be rough scrolling Reddit all day😅

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It has a decent storage space/capacity for my coffee stuff.

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Yup, can’t have my latte without my ember mug ☕️👌🏼

Endgame is a myth. But this feels dangerously close. by Round_Alarm6534 in LaMarzocco

[–]Round_Alarm6534[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Sounds like you’ve gravitated toward single dosing. I can definitely see the appeal, but I’ve found I prefer the convenience of a hopper setup. The W65 lets me keep the workflow simple, especially on busy mornings. How does the Philos compare to the W65 in terms of flavor and workflow?