AVX-DB1 Hero X / MiiCoffee Apex / Turin Legato Reviewed

AVX? Yes, AVX! To be precise "AVX-DB1 Hero X". But don't be fooled by the name. That's what the espresso machine is called in Germany. In the USA you know it as MiiCoffee Apex V2 or Turin Legato V2. In the UK as Gemilai CRM3007. Behind it is an OEM manufacturer from Asia (Gemilai) that supplies the same platform to various importers. The technology is identical. In Germany the machine costs 550 euros and as always, we have, which is part of our principles, bought the machine ourselves.

The central question: Can a 550-euro machine with a hybrid system really deliver consistent temperatures? The short answer: Yes, but. The long answer follows now.

Design & Build Quality: Surprisingly Solid

Quality Score: 4.5/10

The AVX weighs 10.5 kilos and sits stably on the counter. For 550 euros, other manufacturers often deliver significantly less quality. The housing consists of stainless steel and plastic elements, but doesn't look cheap. If we compare it to other machines in this price range – such as early Dedica generations or no-name devices – then the AVX stands out positively.

Materials & Feel

The boiler sits directly above the brew group and is made of stainless steel (0.55 liters). The components inside look tidy. We completely dismantled the machine – which is a bit fiddly because you have to contort yourself to get to all the screws. But: Everything seems repairable. No exotic parts, no obvious weak points at first glance.

The buttons have a clear pressure point. The display (more on that in a moment) is a touchscreen, but it sometimes doesn't respond immediately. This is annoying when you want to adjust the temperature. But you don't use the display every day, so it's not a big deal.

The Catch: Bayonet Mount

A real criticism: When you insert the portafilter, metal scrapes on metal. It feels like sandpaper on sandpaper. Not dramatic, but unpleasant. Will it get better after six months? Possibly. Will it be annoying? Definitely.

The Hybrid System: Not a Two-Boiler, Not a Dual Boiler

Here's where it gets interesting. The machine is often advertised as a "two-boiler" or "dual boiler". Both are wrong.

It's a hybrid system:

• 0.55-liter stainless steel boiler for brew water (with PID control)
• Thermoblock for steam (separate heating element)

Important: Both heating elements are operated with cold water. There is no heat exchanger like in classic two-boiler machines. That's why: Hybrid. Nothing more, nothing less.

What does that mean practically?

You can't brew and steam simultaneously because only one pump is installed. First espresso, then steam. But: You don't have to wait 10 minutes for the boiler to heat up like on some single-boiler machines. The thermoblock is ready for steam just seconds after the espresso pull.

Heat-Up Time & Energy: Solid, but Not Blazing Fast

Heat-Up Time Score: 5.0/10
Power Consumption Score: 6.0/10

AVX promises "5 minutes heat-up time". In practice it's 15 minutes until the machine is truly heated through and even then you need to help it along. You can start after 8-10 minutes, but your first shot will disappoint you (more on that in a moment).

Power consumption: 0.1408 kWh for heat-up plus one espresso. That's solid mid-range. Not as economical as a thermoblock device (0.08 kWh), but not a power hog like large dual-boilers (0.25+ kWh).

PID & Temperature Offset

The machine has PID control so you can adjust the temperature. Good! However: Our machine had an offset of +1.5°C. That means if you set it to 92°C, it gives you ~94°C. That's not a disaster – many machines have an offset – but you need to know it. We set it to 92°C and were satisfied.

This log shows the temperature of the first pull after flushing once through the portafilter.

Espresso Quality: The Temperature Drama and Its Solution

Espresso Potential Score: 3.5/10 (out of the box) → 2.5/10 with Workaround

Now it gets serious. The AVX has a massive problem: The first espresso after heat-up is undrinkable.

The Problem: Catastrophic Cold Start

We measure with our Scace 2 directly in the portafilter. After 15 minutes heat-up time:

• Flush to heat through the portafilter
• Shot 1: 87.65°C (way too cold!)
• Shot 2: 93.09°C (already much better)
• Shots 3-5: 94.45°C / 94.50°C / 94.50°C (excellently consistent)

The first pull is 6.5°C below steady state. That's catastrophic. Coffee tastes sour, under-extracted, flat. The machine is on, but the portafilter and brew group are still cold.

The Solution: Flush 2x (Temperature Surfing)

Here's the workaround you must apply:

1. Let the machine heat up for 15 minutes
2. Flush once for 25 seconds through the portafilter (let water run through)
3. Wait briefly (10-15 seconds)
4. Flush again for 5-10 seconds
5. Now you can pull your first espresso

With this trick:

• Shot 1: 93.07°C (only 1.4°C difference now)
• Shots 3-5: Consistent at ~94.5°C (Delta < 0.1°C!)

The Impressive Strength: Consistency After Warm-Up

Once the machine is warm, it delivers dual-boiler level consistency. Shots 3, 4, and 5 differ by less than 0.1°C. That's phenomenal for a 550-euro machine.

Temperature curve during the pull:
Slight "drop" (decline of about 1.1°C during extraction). Sensorially completely fine.

WBC Stress Test: Here It Struggles

In the continuous-load test (14 pulls in a row) the limits show: The temperature drifts from ~88°C (start) to over 93°C (end). Range > 4.5°C. The machine is not suitable for gastro or catering. It's not supposed to be. We measure it anyway for completeness because it's part of the test protocol.

Temperature Conclusion

If you're willing to flush 2x before your first espresso, you get an impressively consistent machine. If you don't want to do that: then the machine will tend to frustrate you with sour espresso on the first pulls. Think about it.

OPV & Pressure: Finally Simple!

A real plus point: The OPV (Over Pressure Valve) is on the front of the machine and is adjustable without tools. A dial, no screwdriver needed. You can install a blind basket, watch the pressure, and set it to 8-9 Bar. Done.

Our machine came with too high pressure (>10 Bar). After 30 seconds the problem was solved. That's how it should be.

Volumetrics & Programming: Time-Controlled, Not Precise

Volumetrics Score: 3.0/10

The machine has no true volumetrics (no flowmeter). It stops after a preset time. That's better than nothing, but not precise.

What does that mean?

If your grind is too fine, the machine stops after 25 seconds – regardless of whether only 20 grams of espresso are in the cup. If the grind is too coarse, water runs through and you have 60 grams in the cup.

Our recommendation: Use the manual button and set it with a scale. That's the only way to make consistently good espresso. You can then use the programmable button for the first flush shot (25 seconds).

Pre-Infusion: Please Don't Use!

The machine has a pre-infusion function. Sounds good. But it's not.

The problem: In the pause between pre-infusion and main extraction, the machine completely relieves the pressure. The water – which has already worked with the coffee and is already dissolved coffee – flows through a valve into the drip tray. You're throwing away the heart of your espresso.

Please turn off pre-infusion. The machine has a vibration pump that ramps up slowly anyway (~7-8 seconds to full pressure). That's plenty as pre-wetting.

Milk Frothing & Steam: Works, but with Caveats

Frothing Quality Score: 4.8/10

The thermoblock supplies steam. We set it to the highest level (147°C). Michel (our barista professional) says: "It works, but it's not easy."

The Process

1. After the espresso: Purge the steam wand (about 10 seconds, until consistent steam comes out)
2. Froth the milk

Speed: 300ml of milk from 6°C to 60°C takes ~60 seconds. That's not fast, but also not unbearably slow.

Texture: Fine-pored, creamy – if you hold the pitcher very tilted. The steam doesn't have the power to get the milk rotating in the vertical position. You have to tilt the pitcher to create the necessary angle. That's doable, but less comfortable than machines with rotational pumps.

Steam Wand

The wand has a nub wheel as a valve. Visually unusual, but functionally okay. Important: Don't twist it like a faucet! Close it gently, or the valve will come loose eventually.

Workflow & Operation: Light and Shadow

Usability Score: 4.3/10

The Display

Touchscreen, shows brew time and temperature. That's practical – you don't have to start the timer on the scale. But: The display sometimes responds sluggishly. You tap, nothing happens. You tap again, suddenly it jumps. Not dramatic, but annoying when adjusting the temperature.

Portafilter & Basket

The portafilter is stainless steel with a plastic handle. Solid. The included basket is huge: 22-23 grams of coffee fits in it. That's a lot. Too much for most. We prefer to work with 18-19 grams. The basket has a wide rim and the holes could be a bit further out, but it works.

Tamper: Plastic body, metal base. The clearance to the basket rim is too big (~2mm play). An upgrade to a better-fitting tamper makes sense.

Water Tank & Drip Tray

• Water tank: 1.7 liters, removable from the top. Good.
• Drip tray: ~500ml capacity. Adequate.

The Problem: Portafilter-to-Countertop Distance

Only 7.5 cm. That's little. A normal espresso cup with a scale fits. A large cappuccino cup with a scale? It gets tight. If you use larger cups, weighing becomes difficult.

Noise Level: Average

Score: 3.0/10

We measure 64.8 dB(A) in operation. That's not quiet, but also not a drill. Typical for vibration pumps. The machine doesn't rattle, doesn't clatter. It just hums along.

Accessories: Basic Equipment

Score: 3.5/10

In the package:

• Portafilter (2-spout)
• Blind basket, single, double
• Tamper (plastic, too small)
• Milk pitcher
• Cleaning brush

That's okay for the price. No more than that. The tamper should be replaced – it makes life easier and espresso better. And above all, it feels more premium.

The Name Chaos: One Machine, Many Faces

Because this topic is important (and Google brought you here), here's the overview again:

Attention: Pay attention to the version (V1 vs. V2) and whether an OPV is installed. That makes a difference. Our machine is the V2 with OPV (Hero X).

The Kafmasino version is a special case: It uses the same chassis but has its own electronics with Bluetooth and app control. So technically not identical.

Conclusion: Who Is the AVX Hero X Right For?

Overall Score: 4.8/10 (Compromise)
Value for Money: 6.32/10

The AVX-DB1 Hero X is a machine for beginners who are willing to learn. If you just want to press a button in the morning and expect perfect espresso, then it's probably not your machine.

Strengths

• Temperature consistency after warm-up and flushing: Dual-boiler level at 550 euros. Impressive.
• OPV adjustable without tools: Great!
• Solid build quality: Doesn't look cheap, is repairable.
• PID control: Temperature adjustable.
• Quick steam availability: Hybrid system makes it possible.
• Price: 550 euros for this equipment is fair.

Weaknesses

• Catastrophic cold start: Without flushing 2x, the first shot is undrinkable.
• No flowmeter: Time-controlled volumetrics is imprecise.
• Pre-infusion unusable: Wastes coffee, please don't use.
• Steam output: Works, but not comfortable.
• Portafilter-to-countertop distance: Too little space for large cups with scale.
• Display feel: Touchscreen sometimes sluggish.

Who Is This Machine Right For?

Yes, if:

• You have a 500-600 euro budget
• You're willing to flush 2x before your first espresso
• You want to work with a scale
• You occasionally make milk drinks, but don't need to brew and steam in parallel
• You don't make 10+ espressos every day

No, if:

• You don't have patience in the morning (then: thermoblock or thin film heater)
• You need true volumetrics (then: machine with flowmeter)
• You want gastro-level performance (then: dual boiler)

Value for Money

With a VFM score of 6.32/10, the AVX is fairly priced. You get more machine for less money than with classic single-boiler machines (e.g. Rancilio Silvia ~700 euros, ECM Casa ~900 euros). But: You have to accept the quirks.

Our Experiment

We want to know what the machine looks like after a year of use. That's why we've passed it on: It now sits with a test person who uses it in everyday life and gives us regular feedback. What wears out, what sticks, what still functions cleanly after twelve months – we'll add that here. After that, the machine comes back to Basel and we'll look inside again.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

Further Reading

• 📄 Our Test Protocol (Version 2.3) → Link
• 🎥 Short Video of the Machine → YouTube
• 🎥 To the Long Video → YouTube
• 🛠️ Recommended Workshop for AVX DB1 → Coffee24 (Affiliate Link)

We recommend expert partners we know do good work and provide reliable service. With purchases through our affiliate links you don't pay more, but we receive a small commission – which we invest directly in new test equipment.

Other Helpful Articles:

• Preparing Espresso: Step-by-Step Guide