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We will be frank and give you a biased answer.
We feel that the best ESE machines were the ones made by UNIC, such as the Phoenix or its little brothers, the Pony Espresso S and T. The Phoenix used the original head design that started the whole pod thing. This was the Turmix machine which was made in Switzerland. Illy used this machine exclusively during the 1980's until UNIC made their Phoenix which had its genesis in Phoenix, AZ (Scottsdale to be precise).
In the 1995 era, UNIC came out with their little jewell, the PONY Espresso S (standard), with its shiny polished stainless steel body and patented swiveling portafilter. If you can get your hands on one and it has been well kept, get one. If you need parts you can contact www.easybeverage.com which still sell them and services them also. The Pony T came out in the early 2000's and used the same head design. This was a thermoblock machine which, when it worked, was also great.
Good results are also gotten with the Francis Francis models. Their original head design was a good one and true to form to the ESE standard. There are more and more models today that are pod adaptable and have poor results. Unless the top of the extraction chamber is designed uniquely for pods, the results you will get will be mediocre at best.
Be aware that all pods are not created equal and that all "pod" machine are also not created equal, even those with the ESE label. We make sample packs available for you to try our pods with your machines, from a technical standpoint and taste also.
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