So recently I just gotten myself a Black Oscar Nuova Simonelli from CoffeeRitual. Waited 6 weeks for it and finally it arrived. Didn't have much time to make coffee and write a short review about it. So finally i started brewing on this new machine. I'm grinding on the Lelit PL-53 currently. Sold my Gaggia MDF. Hehe. So here's a short review of the machine.

Likes :
1. Frothing with the 4 tip steam hole is amazing and powerful. 6 Oz of milk under 10 seconds! Read some review regarding the 4 tip steam hole too powerful hence difficult to froth and pour nice latte art. I would say it's more of the technique and placement of the steam wand. I personally ordered a 2 tip hole steam wand but cancelled later on since i found the right placement for the wand. Smooth microfoam in less than 10 seconds. Most importantly dry steam all the way. Steaming cups of milks isn't really a problem with the huge copper boiler built in. Picture of the first pour as atttached.

2. Heat exchanger mechanism means i can froth and pull shots simultaneously. A huge step up for me from using the Philips Saeco Poemia.

3. Pulling shots on the Oscar definitely is much better than my older machine, Saeco Poemia. Still considering whether or not to purchase the OPV valve to adjust the brew pressure. Any of you guys recommend the OPV upgrade? Please give me input on that.

Dislikes :
1. The 2.3L water tank is a bit small for those who likes to flush the brew head multiple times. Serving more than 4 to 5 cups would require to refill the water tank quite often if you flush the brew head often. I usually flush to 'cool' down the water since HX machine requires you to do so. Else the water in the brew head idling would mean steam water coming out when brewing for the first few seconds. The first time i use and pull multiple shots for a group of people, I RAN OUT of water while pulling a shot. It was like 18 seconds shot and it stopped since the water tank ran out of water. And there's no visible water level can be seen externally. You'd have to open the compartment and take a peek at the water level. I find this very inconvenient for those who usually serves to a crowd of people. Maybe that's why it's termed home machine.
Read somewhere on the net where people made modifications to the water tank to make it auto-refill. Hmm.

2. The drip tray is a little huge. The steam wand and drip tray dont really allow you to use bigger size pitcher. 20 Oz size pitcher would require you to 'adjust' to get around the steam wand and the drip tray. It always get in the way. And you can't fit the steam wand in the 20 Oz pitcher and place them on the drip tray unless you remove the drip tray. That's how the drip tray 'gets in the way' .

3. No anti-vacuum means you need to leave the steam valve open everytime you turn on the machine and close the valve when steam gushes out of the wand. You need to bleed the air out of the boiler in order for the pressure stat to measure steam instead of air pressure. Some people install a vacuum release valve but I prefer not the mess it up. You have to constantly on the watch when cold starting the machine for the hissing steam sound and close the valve. Accidentally open the valve and forgot to turn it off while away from the machine. Hmm.
That's all for now. Very convenient for those who usually serve to a big crowd of people. Heck you can even start serving in party/small events when you can froth and pull shots simultaneously.  Else if you're a technical person, temperature fluctuation is always a problem on this machine since this isn't a E61 group head. Consistency is kinda lacking in this case.