S1 Dream, Kirk Iverson

Dual boilers /w PID that can heat independantly or at same time if on 20 amp circuit
Built in clock/timer that allows independent on/off times for each day of week
Capacitive touch display that shows status/temperature of both boilers, shot timer and pump bars of pressure during brewing
Four stored brew profiles

Steam valve requires almost a full turn to open, lever would have been better choice
Steam valve not mounted to frame securely, moves when cleaning steam wand
Steam wand too short
Drip tray is plastic instead of metal
Rubber disk for portafilter back flush doesn’t work, should include metal blank basket
Low clearance between group head and drip tray grate
Navigating the programming menu requires several presses on the touch screen, and then equal number of presses to back out to home menu

Purchased the Dream to replace my failing Bezzera BZ02. I intended to purchase a Bezzera Duo DE but I could not find one available. The La Spaziale Dream hit almost all the must have’s on my list.
Dual boilers that heat either simultaneously or independently.
Time adjustable Pre-infusion
Calendar/clock/timer with independent on/off times for each Day of week
Rotary pump /w adjustable pressure
Flow meter for programmable water dosing
Digital touch display for programming settings
Display that actively shows status of boilers and a shot timer
Direct connect/plumbed with no provision for tank resulting in smaller unit enclosure
Multiple saved profiles for users or roasts
I purchased a water filter/softener with the Dream. The Filter arrived prior to Dream, so I had most of the plumbing done prior to the Dream arriving. I simply had to connect the water line to the machine and then to the JG fitting on the water filter line. I plugged the Dream into a 20 amp dedicated circuit I had prepared for its arrival. I followed the startup procedure for the Dream, purging the air from both of the boilers while purging the air by opening the team valve, and activating the hot water tap. While it was heating for the first time, I entered the programming menu, and set boiler temps, date, clock, and other necessary settings. After the boilers were hot, I pulled a couple of shots to set the volumetric dosing. It took a few more pulls and adjusting my grinder to get my shot timing in the sweet spot of 25 to 30 seconds, using a recipe of 1:2 ratio.
Overall my experience in the two weeks that I have had the machine set up, the timer has worked flawlessly turning on the Dream 45 minutes before I get up to make sure the machine is hot and the boiler and group head temps are stable. The Dream has plenty of steam volume to steam pitcher after pitcher of milk while still pulling shots. I’m able to pull consistently delicious shots for guests who prefer espresso over milk based drinks.
The build quality of the Dream over all is quite good, the biggest deficit I see is the drip tray is plastic instead of metal. It is solid, but should have been painted steel like the rest of the machine. The other issue is the steam valve, it moves when cleaning the steam wand, it doesn’t seam to be secured to anything. The steam valve takes almost a complete rotation to open completely, and the steam wand is too short.
Being able to adjust the PID for the brew tank allows for temperature changes to adjust for the roast of the beans. I like to use a temp of 200 to 205 for medium roasts, and as low as 195 for darker roasts, I find this results in a more drinkable shot. I have named my profiles for the beans/roast I typically use so that I can quickly change from one roast to another. The only thing I find, is a drop in group head of 1 to 2 degrees when pulling double shots. It would have been better if the Dream had a larger brew boiler, or used a HX style design to preheat the water going into the brew boiler. I feel this would have made the group head/brew temp more stable while pulling shots.
The pre-infusion feature and the on/off timer included with the Dream and $300 to $400 of value, while staying at the price point of machines that don’t have these features.
I also think that La Spaziale should have included either copper or stainless steel boilers instead of the nickel plated brass ones. This would have increased the serviceability of the Dream for many years to come.

I wanted to purchase local if possible, but really wanted the Bezzera Duo DE. There were no dealers close to me, and even the Internet Dealers didn’t have stock. After considering the brands/machines carried by Clive Coffee I settled on the Dream, it had the features I needed, at a price point that was less that I had planned on spending. After making my decision I called Clive Coffee and while talking to them I decided to purchase a new grinder with the savings over the Bezzera, and purchased a Sette 270wi, and added a water filter/softener and bottomless portafilter, all for less than I would have spent on the Bezzera. The sales staff at Clive Coffee were very knowledgeable, answering all my questions, then were able to send me a purchase order with a link I could complete online. I was disappointed though since Clive Coffee was only 7 miles from my house, due to the coved-19 situation, I would have to have my order shipped instead of picking it up from their loading dock. I have purchased equipment from 1st line and Chris Coffee in past and they are very good online retailers, but making this purchase local to support local businesses during this health crisis was important to me, and Clive Coffee didn’t disappoint. I look forward to their show room opening again, and being able to get some in person advice, and service.