If you aren't familiar with it, the Oracle is Breville's super-automatic dual-boiler. It takes their DB capability, adds a (mediocre) grinder that has an auger tamper, and a programmable steam-arm like you see at Starbucks. You can treat it like a dual-boiler and do it all yourself, or use the automated functions.
I visited Sur La Table on a Monday afternoon when it was quiet. All three employees were standing around and one asked how she could help. To be honest with you all, I just wanted a free espresso shot and knew they had Jura machines on demo that do a good job. I told her I was interested in a machine that would make coffee for me, and instead of the superautos, she did the right salesperson move and went to the most expensive machine on the shelf - an Oracle.
I have read a lot of BDB threads since I was in the market recently so I was glad she had an Oracle out and powered on, and was interested in giving a demo. She knew the system pretty well (didn't say anything too uneducated about making espresso) and liked to talk about coffee and features.
For the shot, which I tasted before she added milk. For Illy beans with an unknown roast date, and a fast pour, it was an impressive enough shot that showed me that the Oracle had great potential -- if only fresher beans and the right grind and tamp settings were dialed in (or manual control).
The part that really impressed me was the milk steaming. That automatic frother does a fantastic job - gets the milk nice and hot, and adds a great, creamy consistency. All with the flip of a lever.
She then made me a shot on a Jura and, while I've always thought they did a good job for a superautomatic, back to back with the Oracle showed me how lacking in mouth feel and flavor the Jura really was.
My verdict: For people in the superautomatic market, the Oracle is a way better use of your money. And I've seen Juras going for close to $2000 depending on the options you equip it with, so that doesn't feel like an unreasonable statement. And I can see why people like the $1000 Breville Dual Boiler - that's the semiautomatic heart of the Oracle and is half the price, which leaves plenty of room for a quality grinder. With practice you can make milk as good or better, but it isn't automatic.
I visited Sur La Table on a Monday afternoon when it was quiet. All three employees were standing around and one asked how she could help. To be honest with you all, I just wanted a free espresso shot and knew they had Jura machines on demo that do a good job. I told her I was interested in a machine that would make coffee for me, and instead of the superautos, she did the right salesperson move and went to the most expensive machine on the shelf - an Oracle.
I have read a lot of BDB threads since I was in the market recently so I was glad she had an Oracle out and powered on, and was interested in giving a demo. She knew the system pretty well (didn't say anything too uneducated about making espresso) and liked to talk about coffee and features.
For the shot, which I tasted before she added milk. For Illy beans with an unknown roast date, and a fast pour, it was an impressive enough shot that showed me that the Oracle had great potential -- if only fresher beans and the right grind and tamp settings were dialed in (or manual control).
The part that really impressed me was the milk steaming. That automatic frother does a fantastic job - gets the milk nice and hot, and adds a great, creamy consistency. All with the flip of a lever.
She then made me a shot on a Jura and, while I've always thought they did a good job for a superautomatic, back to back with the Oracle showed me how lacking in mouth feel and flavor the Jura really was.
My verdict: For people in the superautomatic market, the Oracle is a way better use of your money. And I've seen Juras going for close to $2000 depending on the options you equip it with, so that doesn't feel like an unreasonable statement. And I can see why people like the $1000 Breville Dual Boiler - that's the semiautomatic heart of the Oracle and is half the price, which leaves plenty of room for a quality grinder. With practice you can make milk as good or better, but it isn't automatic.
