Since 2007, the GS3 has been the standard in professional-grade home espresso machines. La Marzocco produces two versions of the GS3—the AV (auto-volumetric) and the MP (manual paddle), and one of the most common questions we get here at La Marzocco Home is “what’s the difference between the AV and MP?”
To put it simply, the AV version uses an electronics package that allows for precise & repeatable shots that can be programmed by water volume while the MP gives the user manual control over pre-infusion and brewing times with paddle valve control. If you think of it like a car metaphor, it’s a little bit like the difference between driving a classic manual shift hotrod in the MP, versus a cutting edge supercar with electronic sports shifters in the AV.
Before we unpack what that all means for a barista using the machine on a daily basis, let’s talk a little bit more about the GS3 as a platform. The GS3 was released in 2007 as a full-performance commercial espresso machine fitted into a smaller body that can sit in a home or office, run on 120V electricity, and use its own water reservoir. Pulling from the same technologies as La Marzocco’s commercial machines, the GS3 is designed to provide a full array of tools for even the most demanding barista—including rock-solid PID-controlled temperature, dual boilers, and access to the MP and AV architectures found in the Strada and Linea lines.
That all sounds good, but what does it actually mean? In short, the GS3 was made to be the ultimate home espresso machine, freeing up a barista to explore espresso in any and every way, without worrying about whether the machine could keep up or if it would hold them back. No compromise on quality, and complete focus on the coffee.