It's a rare thing to find a machine that seamlessly combines form and function, a feat that has been achieved by ECM's Technika IV espresso machine. From the outside, you'll be drawn to the curved stainless steel housing, front-mounted pressure gauges, and custom grouphead, but it is what you're not seeing that rounds out the entire package. The Technika IV's commercial grade internal components were selected by German engineers at ECM for superior performance and build quality.
Before getting into the internals of the machine, the housing and frame deserve a special mention. Made of curved stainless steel, the Technika IV is gorgeous to look at, but it's important to note that the frame is actually one solid piece. To save money, some companies will weld the drip tray onto the body of their machine. Not content with cutting corners, ECM has actually built the drip tray as part of the frame, making it far more durable. Additionally, the body of the machine has been designed to absorb noise produced by the internal components, which, when coupled with the much quieter rotary pump, results in a near-silent brewing process.
With regards to brewing, the Technika IV uses a 2.1 liter stainless steel, heat exchange boiler and the aforementioned rotary pump. Stainless steel is known for its heat retention and ability to resist corrosion. The heat exchanger allows you to brew and steam at the same time. Similar to the design of commercial machines, the boiler is mounted horizontally by a solid bracket to protect it from from shifting during shipping. The boiler is heated by a 1400 watt heating element and the pump is monitored by a Sirai pressure stat. Temperature stability is promoted throughout the machine, not only by the boiler but by the E61 group head and chrome plated brass portafilters as well. The Technika IV comes with both a single and double spouted portafilter, each has been designed with weighted handles to ensure that they remain balanced in your hand.
If you're looking to make the machine a more permanent fixture in your kitchen, it can connected to a water line, eliminating the need to refill. This is made easier by the fact the the flow is controlled by a valve, located on the bottom of the machine, allowing you to manually switch from one water source to the other. Remember, even if you opt out of plumbing the machine, the water reservoir still holds 3 liters of water.
You'll notice that ECM has emblazoned its seal on the machine. That's because they're as proud to have made it as you'll be to own it.