QUOTE(lowkl @ Feb 29 2016, 11:40 AM)
patryn33 & ymeng85;
All points valid & concur. The steeply diminishing marginal utility is true in almost everything ... cars, photography, hi-fi, smartphones, etc.
For me, I'm always on the lookout for the "hidden gem", off-the-beaten-track option. Once in a while, there are some options that simply don't lie on the price vs quality curve at all... it's just that the lack of branding makes for crazy value-for-money, only if you are willing to look at the option objectively.
This is often true with the made-in-China stuff. For too long, these have been synonymous with poor quality rip-offs. However, in certain areas there have been a renaissance; eg. with the Android market, you have Xiaomi, Oppo, Huawei. Now most people look at these brands either neutrally or favourably.....two years ago, the same would have laughed them off.
The espresso equipment scene appears to be dictated by the West. There are almost zero objective, side-by-side comparisons/reviews with Asian alternatives. That's why I often challenge the de rigueur choices mooted in this & other forums, unless backed by actual experience or hard facts.
I think physics limits the performance of a 35mm burr... unless U saying alot of R&D went into it and it produces just as good as those 80mm burr.
Italian made 1.8L engine vs chinese make space rocket.. I am sure chinese made rocket go faster.
if they were to make a 80mm burr and compare with Italian 80mm, there is a good chance they performance on par. but quality depends on QC.
phone Xiaomi and huawei is using establish HW and running on open source Android.
Chinese use more phones than the west. The west drinks more espresso than east.
if U talk tea, East dominates.