We have 3 XXLs in our cafe in Eastern Kentucky. These machines have held up super well over the last 2 years and around 30-40K shots on each machine. You raised good points and we ended up switching out all the issues, resin handles, new tablets, etc. Decent customer support is excellent and replaced so much under warranty
Yes i had them replace the tablet but now i have just installed the new group head and the battery replacment kit in the tablet. But now the tablet wont run properly. I guess they are fixing it. I love the machine it is a little finicky lately. thanks for watching.
My DE1 is about the same age as yours and I have to say my experience has been absolutely identical in nearly every regard. First, I have owned a number of machines over the last 20 years including an LM GS3/MP, a La Spaziale S1, and Isomac Tea,m and several others. I would not trade my DE1 for any of them and if I were to purchase a new machine today it would be a DE1. That said...battery bloated in the tablet (fixed by installing the no battery kit) check, black handles look like absolute crap and really need to be replaced or re-finished, check. Rubber gasket replaced with a silicon gasket, check (this is a wearable part so fully expected). As for minor issues, the top of the group head does need regular cleaning and I would also have prefered the slightly longer steam arm with the bend but not enough to justify purchasing and installing it. I do not mind the drip tray being a little "loose", I suspect it is difficult to have tighter tolerances with ceramic. All in all, great 3 year review, I think you nailed it.
Thank you for letting me know I did a good review. I do find that it's still a little glitchy at times and now I see some rust near the area where the steam wand hits the paneling on the shiny mirror part. I think it's a good machine but it does alway look dusty lol. I think it is more stable now with the updates and I only use a few profiles it seems. What skin do you use?
@@AM2PMReviews I tickered with skins and profiles when I first got the machine. At this point I pretty much use the machine the exact same way with a single shot profile. I just run the stock skin since I have grown quite used to it. I had to laugh at the comment about things occasionally being a little glitchy. Once again, I have the exact same experience! Every once in a while it will do something I simply cannot explain but it is very rare, especially compared to the initial software releases.
Hi I have a lot of basket sizes. I typically use an 18gram basket and put in 20grams so I can reduce the headspace a little more. This can help create more body in the espresso. I usually extract with a Londonium style profile to around 40-45grams liquid coming out.
Hi, did you have to repair the machine any time during first three years. Is 2 years warranty good enough or 4 years for extra $300 worth the value? Thank you.
Hi I have not had any issues other than the cheap tablet. So i got a new tablet from them under warranty. I then got the battery replacement kit so no battery is powering it now so it should last longer. I replaced the rubber gasket with the new silicone one and like it much better. I also have a new group head shower head that reduces the headspace a little more. I have really not any issues other than just firmeware issues that caused bugs at times.
@@AM2PMReviews Thank you for the reply. I am thinking of getting de1 w/o tablet battery. I wish they had an app on ipad to operate the machine. I don't know why there is no water tank lid.
@@littlestar5737 yes I feel like the water tank is the biggest area of improvement. I dont like sliding it back into position since water sloshes around. But I do like how easy it is to clean. It's a little small of a tank.
@@AM2PMReviews Agreed. Cleaning ceramic is always easier than plastic. Also the horizontal shaped tank is a winner. I always have hard time sliding my hands in tall vertical water tank for thorough cleaning.
You can extend the warranty forever, at least as long as Decent exists, that's how they market it on their website, you have to take it with a grain of salt, all companies can change their business model over time.
@@Alneyadi. oh sure I can. I just go to the plug-in section and then I get my computer and connect it to the tablet and then I add photos in the file it says.
Had the Bianca and got a DE1XL this year (used from a decent user), couldn’t be happier. If you’re a tinkerer, the decent is the ultimate coffee experimentation tool. But I do have a question, I’ve ALWAYS wondered what those Fruity and Mocha presets were… so they’re their own profile? I usually use one of the profiles like D-Flow (also by Damien) or a lever style machine, or just default. But curious how the built in DSx profiles work?
Yes I keep tinkering and that’s going to be my next video. I just did a lot of new little mods. It’s a little annoying if you are not expecting it. Since mods have made my tablet glitchy at times and now my battery replacement mod the app shuts off for some reason randomly. The Damien preset are just some slightly profiles to get more mocha flavors, fruity, or smooth flavors. They say what they do differently. I find it is a great baseline for me to start with tasting and then sometimes I change it from there.
@@Jason-lp1rx both are great, but very different. Bianca is like a vintage Italian sports car. Decent is like a Tesla. Bianca has more raw power and is more minimalist in approach, decent has more accuracy and repeatability though and much more programming. That said I don’t regret the switch and I love the consistency and control the decent gives me. When you average out the taste of all the shots I’ve pulled on both, the decent has better shots MORE of the time. In fact after almost a year I feel like the number of shots that were undrinkable from decent are only single digits… it’s just easier to get those ‘god shots’ or be closer in that window with decent. And if you’re not you can figure out why from the data. If you’re not a nerd and don’t care about graphs, it’s still nice to be able to program a dynamic profile that can adjust itself on the fly. Only ‘cons’ if they’re cons are no simultaneous milk steaming, and the clicking sound haha
Terrific review, thank you. If the annoyances are an issue having spent $2K for the machine.... :). I totally get the attraction of the technology built into these machines, unfortunately it comes at a little too high a price for this home barista.
Yes I think when I first got it, it was super annoying beucase it has had a lot of bugs but then I learned more about that little tablet and the program and it has stabilized a lot since then. I would worry that if the tablet broke or shutdown or an employee would play with it, the whole machine might be useless in a real pro setting. I love playing with the machine but I also only use like 3 or four profiles and mostly 1 lol.
Well now they are 3500 to 4500 which is definitely a shocker - its more money than an ECM synchronica with flow control by 1500. That certainly has me holding back.
@@yellowwducky yes at the time there wasn't really any machines doing flow control out of the box. Now it seems there are other options that might be cheaper.
Hi I need to review it more and do more coffee stuff. It has been about 3 years or so with this machine and I just got this newer DSx2 Skin and I am learning how to use it. The handles now are nicer than my older wooden painted ones which are looking older. I do have some rust spots where the steam wand sprays. What else would you like to see?
@@AM2PMReviews Where do you have rust on the machine, don't you spray the steam in the drip tray made of porcelain and cover with a SS grit? Well, I just wondered why you didn't make any more videos, I guess I don't have a particular desire for content.
@@dejedejsson I try to focus on sleeping stuff but I also make videos for living at my day job so I got burned out doing this at night time too. but I have a little bit of rust on the edge of the mirrored panel where the steam side is. It's a little ugly. I bet I could just get a new front panel.
I have seen people not use it - I don't think it is particularly required. I have also seen it replaced with short stubby variants which look vastly better.
@@yellowwducky yeah, I also noticed the stubby handles in some videos. Goes to show how even owners think the handles are weird but the design still requires some form of them.
Yes and today the tablet just randomly shut off (even with the battery replacement kit so it doesn't have a battery) and when I turned it on it factory reset itself so now I need to figure out how download it all back. I do like the handle on the front it just helps with steaming milk I think but it is a little odd looking. It's just a M10 screw I hear so a lot of people just unscrew it or make their own.
@@AM2PMReviews Interesting. Thanks for the insight. Good luck with that tablet quirk. I will probably go for an Argos Odyssey - much cheaper and does allow for the same level of control, albeit manually. I couldn't live with the current Decent pump noise anyways.
@@dennisbeekelaar1397 ahah yes I definitely dont baby the machine. I usually clean it weekly. I just got my RO water back to healthy TDS of 120. it was 700.
Decent is smoking crack...I love it's capacities [programmability] but not it's build quality.. I thought it was expensive at $2300 now almost double...Cause for that kind of money [$4000] I'd expect incredible build quality, longevity and proud ownership. I'll stick to my ECM Synchronika cause the Decent seems like a throw away appliance like [high-end programmable Breville ]. I know it's automated profile programs are amazing, but I'll just master the manual and be proud of my antiquated jewel of a coffee machine, just saying... I'm being real, but JMHO! Decent is built for High profit!
I think the build quality is pretty good. I have not had any issues. It's just a noisy style of pump that a lot of people are not used to. The tubing is very flexible and won't really build up scale since it is teflon coated. Unlike metal tubing that builds up scale.
ECM makes great machines that lasts a lifetime. But they aren't innovating and pushing boundaries. ECM is using tech that was invented in the 60s, Decent is using tech that was invented in the last decade. Of course ECM machines are going to be more reliable. If that's your thing go for it. A Decent can do things that simply aren't possible with an ECM. There are tradeoffs with Decent and people are aware of it. For me personally, E61s are boring and dated. But for some, that is the very thing that is appealing about E61.
@@maheshprabhu The problem I found is these ECM type machines can last a lifetime...but the repair costs when they come become a very significant proportion of a new machine. I have (well had) a Izzo Alex Duetto v3 and it worked for 12 years. It basically blue up 'somewhere' and repair costs are estimated to be at least 50% of a brand new ECM synchonica - and that assumes part availability for an older machine. And if I did repair that, well there would be some new parts but a bunch of still 12 year old parts and who knows what fails next. As such, I am pondering a ECM synchronica but know full well that it won't last a lifetime given what these things cost to repair down the road.
Lol, you can just program the Bianca and basically every other machine in the Decent and move on. I have the Bianca to look pretty, Decent for the coffee.
These are used daily!
BEAN CELLARS ► amzn.to/30TxE0t
PAPER FILTERS ► amzn.to/3MvX6jX
KNOCKBOX ► amzn.to/3eUhvjB
Don't buy paper filters, you can buy a 58mm hole punch and cut coffee filters at home.
Remember to clean the steam wand 😏😂
Oh yes I usually wipe it after each use. Before I did my monthly deep cleaning, I wanted to show the machine.😂
Remember to clean EVERYTHING… PLEASE!!!
We have 3 XXLs in our cafe in Eastern Kentucky. These machines have held up super well over the last 2 years and around 30-40K shots on each machine. You raised good points and we ended up switching out all the issues, resin handles, new tablets, etc. Decent customer support is excellent and replaced so much under warranty
Yes i had them replace the tablet but now i have just installed the new group head and the battery replacment kit in the tablet. But now the tablet wont run properly. I guess they are fixing it. I love the machine it is a little finicky lately. thanks for watching.
Hi, you say it automatic stop at the right temperature when steaming milk, is that true? I thought it didn't do that. Am I wrong?(I hope)
i guess you can get a bluetooth thermometer for it. i just time it out to about 16 seconds
My DE1 is about the same age as yours and I have to say my experience has been absolutely identical in nearly every regard. First, I have owned a number of machines over the last 20 years including an LM GS3/MP, a La Spaziale S1, and Isomac Tea,m and several others. I would not trade my DE1 for any of them and if I were to purchase a new machine today it would be a DE1. That said...battery bloated in the tablet (fixed by installing the no battery kit) check, black handles look like absolute crap and really need to be replaced or re-finished, check. Rubber gasket replaced with a silicon gasket, check (this is a wearable part so fully expected). As for minor issues, the top of the group head does need regular cleaning and I would also have prefered the slightly longer steam arm with the bend but not enough to justify purchasing and installing it. I do not mind the drip tray being a little "loose", I suspect it is difficult to have tighter tolerances with ceramic. All in all, great 3 year review, I think you nailed it.
Thank you for letting me know I did a good review. I do find that it's still a little glitchy at times and now I see some rust near the area where the steam wand hits the paneling on the shiny mirror part. I think it's a good machine but it does alway look dusty lol. I think it is more stable now with the updates and I only use a few profiles it seems. What skin do you use?
@@AM2PMReviews I tickered with skins and profiles when I first got the machine. At this point I pretty much use the machine the exact same way with a single shot profile. I just run the stock skin since I have grown quite used to it. I had to laugh at the comment about things occasionally being a little glitchy. Once again, I have the exact same experience! Every once in a while it will do something I simply cannot explain but it is very rare, especially compared to the initial software releases.
Hello,
You said you go for 20 gram bean 40gram espresso extraction.
Have you gotten a bigger basket?
Hi I have a lot of basket sizes. I typically use an 18gram basket and put in 20grams so I can reduce the headspace a little more. This can help create more body in the espresso. I usually extract with a Londonium style profile to around 40-45grams liquid coming out.
@@AM2PMReviews Thank you so much for the explanation!
Hi, did you have to repair the machine any time during first three years. Is 2 years warranty good enough or 4 years for extra $300 worth the value? Thank you.
Hi I have not had any issues other than the cheap tablet. So i got a new tablet from them under warranty. I then got the battery replacement kit so no battery is powering it now so it should last longer. I replaced the rubber gasket with the new silicone one and like it much better. I also have a new group head shower head that reduces the headspace a little more. I have really not any issues other than just firmeware issues that caused bugs at times.
@@AM2PMReviews Thank you for the reply. I am thinking of getting de1 w/o tablet battery. I wish they had an app on ipad to operate the machine. I don't know why there is no water tank lid.
@@littlestar5737 yes I feel like the water tank is the biggest area of improvement. I dont like sliding it back into position since water sloshes around. But I do like how easy it is to clean. It's a little small of a tank.
@@AM2PMReviews Agreed. Cleaning ceramic is always easier than plastic. Also the horizontal shaped tank is a winner. I always have hard time sliding my hands in tall vertical water tank for thorough cleaning.
You can extend the warranty forever, at least as long as Decent exists, that's how they market it on their website, you have to take it with a grain of salt, all companies can change their business model over time.
Out of curiosity - can the portafilter be inserted from the right side, or only the left as typical?
it seems to only go on the left side. i wish it was right side since i could put it flush to the cabinet then.
Hello, I really loved the video. I have a question how did you put a custom wallpaper?
Hey Thank you. the wallpaper is a plug in that the machine has so i just turned it on and uplaoded my own photos from my computer to the tablet.
@@AM2PMReviewshello again, can you make a video showing how? Because a lot of people are asking on Reddit. Thank you
@@Alneyadi. oh sure I can. I just go to the plug-in section and then I get my computer and connect it to the tablet and then I add photos in the file it says.
@@AM2PMReviews i will try, thank you
@@Alneyadi.did it work?
Had the Bianca and got a DE1XL this year (used from a decent user), couldn’t be happier. If you’re a tinkerer, the decent is the ultimate coffee experimentation tool. But I do have a question, I’ve ALWAYS wondered what those Fruity and Mocha presets were… so they’re their own profile?
I usually use one of the profiles like D-Flow (also by Damien) or a lever style machine, or just default. But curious how the built in DSx profiles work?
Yes I keep tinkering and that’s going to be my next video. I just did a lot of new little mods. It’s a little annoying if you are not expecting it. Since mods have made my tablet glitchy at times and now my battery replacement mod the app shuts off for some reason randomly. The Damien preset are just some slightly profiles to get more mocha flavors, fruity, or smooth flavors. They say what they do differently. I find it is a great baseline for me to start with tasting and then sometimes I change it from there.
how do you compare de1 and lelit ？does de1 make noticable better espresso than bianca? I'm thinking to choose one between them. Thx 😊
@@Jason-lp1rx both are great, but very different. Bianca is like a vintage Italian sports car. Decent is like a Tesla. Bianca has more raw power and is more minimalist in approach, decent has more accuracy and repeatability though and much more programming. That said I don’t regret the switch and I love the consistency and control the decent gives me. When you average out the taste of all the shots I’ve pulled on both, the decent has better shots MORE of the time. In fact after almost a year I feel like the number of shots that were undrinkable from decent are only single digits… it’s just easier to get those ‘god shots’ or be closer in that window with decent. And if you’re not you can figure out why from the data. If you’re not a nerd and don’t care about graphs, it’s still nice to be able to program a dynamic profile that can adjust itself on the fly.
Only ‘cons’ if they’re cons are no simultaneous milk steaming, and the clicking sound haha
I am not even interested in "simultaneous steaming". Got to give full attention and show appreciation to the espresso pull!
Terrific review, thank you. If the annoyances are an issue having spent $2K for the machine.... :). I totally get the attraction of the technology built into these machines, unfortunately it comes at a little too high a price for this home barista.
Yes I think when I first got it, it was super annoying beucase it has had a lot of bugs but then I learned more about that little tablet and the program and it has stabilized a lot since then. I would worry that if the tablet broke or shutdown or an employee would play with it, the whole machine might be useless in a real pro setting. I love playing with the machine but I also only use like 3 or four profiles and mostly 1 lol.
Well now they are 3500 to 4500 which is definitely a shocker - its more money than an ECM synchronica with flow control by 1500. That certainly has me holding back.
@@yellowwducky Yeah, my comment wasn't very well worded as I was referring to the current price tag. If it were $2000, I would buy one.
@@yellowwducky yes at the time there wasn't really any machines doing flow control out of the box. Now it seems there are other options that might be cheaper.
@@wsteele5864 yes I think it was 2600 at the time. so with shipping and tax it was like 3300 I think.
Do you still have the machine, no new videos for a year?
Hi I need to review it more and do more coffee stuff. It has been about 3 years or so with this machine and I just got this newer DSx2 Skin and I am learning how to use it. The handles now are nicer than my older wooden painted ones which are looking older. I do have some rust spots where the steam wand sprays. What else would you like to see?
@@AM2PMReviews Where do you have rust on the machine, don't you spray the steam in the drip tray made of porcelain and cover with a SS grit?
Well, I just wondered why you didn't make any more videos, I guess I don't have a particular desire for content.
@@dejedejsson I try to focus on sleeping stuff but I also make videos for living at my day job so I got burned out doing this at night time too. but I have a little bit of rust on the edge of the mirrored panel where the steam side is. It's a little ugly. I bet I could just get a new front panel.
I'll get one when they figure out a way to do away with the machine handle. I find that a bit ridiculous.
I have seen people not use it - I don't think it is particularly required. I have also seen it replaced with short stubby variants which look vastly better.
@@yellowwducky yeah, I also noticed the stubby handles in some videos. Goes to show how even owners think the handles are weird but the design still requires some form of them.
Yes and today the tablet just randomly shut off (even with the battery replacement kit so it doesn't have a battery) and when I turned it on it factory reset itself so now I need to figure out how download it all back. I do like the handle on the front it just helps with steaming milk I think but it is a little odd looking. It's just a M10 screw I hear so a lot of people just unscrew it or make their own.
@@AM2PMReviews Interesting. Thanks for the insight. Good luck with that tablet quirk. I will probably go for an Argos Odyssey - much cheaper and does allow for the same level of control, albeit manually. I couldn't live with the current Decent pump noise anyways.
Are you still into cigar 😊
oh yes I just dont do a lot of videos on it.
@@AM2PMReviews ok
My 16-yr-old E61 machine frankly looks in better shape. That's surprising.
yeah this collects dust from it being black and our renovation made the house dusty. Chrome hides stains and dust well.
remove the handle of group head no need for that ! to give you more space >> i have the machine from 3 years now and remove it right away
oh good idea. maybe I dont need it but I like the rest my hand on it when frothing.
Dust everywhere!
yes we are redoing our bathroom and also its spring in Arizona so the dust and pollen is everywhere! lol
Yeah, matches your chipped handles
@@dennisbeekelaar1397 ahah yes I definitely dont baby the machine. I usually clean it weekly. I just got my RO water back to healthy TDS of 120. it was 700.
Decent is smoking crack...I love it's capacities [programmability] but not it's build quality.. I thought it was expensive at $2300 now almost double...Cause for that kind of money [$4000] I'd expect incredible build quality, longevity and proud ownership. I'll stick to my ECM Synchronika cause the Decent seems like a throw away appliance like [high-end programmable Breville ]. I know it's automated profile programs are amazing, but I'll just master the manual and be proud of my antiquated jewel of a coffee machine, just saying... I'm being real, but JMHO! Decent is built for High profit!
I think the build quality is pretty good. I have not had any issues. It's just a noisy style of pump that a lot of people are not used to. The tubing is very flexible and won't really build up scale since it is teflon coated. Unlike metal tubing that builds up scale.
ECM makes great machines that lasts a lifetime. But they aren't innovating and pushing boundaries. ECM is using tech that was invented in the 60s, Decent is using tech that was invented in the last decade. Of course ECM machines are going to be more reliable. If that's your thing go for it. A Decent can do things that simply aren't possible with an ECM. There are tradeoffs with Decent and people are aware of it.
For me personally, E61s are boring and dated. But for some, that is the very thing that is appealing about E61.
@@maheshprabhu The problem I found is these ECM type machines can last a lifetime...but the repair costs when they come become a very significant proportion of a new machine. I have (well had) a Izzo Alex Duetto v3 and it worked for 12 years. It basically blue up 'somewhere' and repair costs are estimated to be at least 50% of a brand new ECM synchonica - and that assumes part availability for an older machine. And if I did repair that, well there would be some new parts but a bunch of still 12 year old parts and who knows what fails next. As such, I am pondering a ECM synchronica but know full well that it won't last a lifetime given what these things cost to repair down the road.
Lelit Bianca is the Best, this machine if i see, from milk foam or coffee, is some like shit my friend...Mo money is not give'n the quality...
wrong. this is great for way more control and data. I do think that Bianca is a nice machine though.
@@AM2PMReviews "wrong" cause Decent paid you off so you can promote their $4K machine....Lelit is just as good without the fancy ass tablet
@@AM2PMReviewsDon’t feed the trolls 😉
Lol, you can just program the Bianca and basically every other machine in the Decent and move on. I have the Bianca to look pretty, Decent for the coffee.