Have a Brikka and use it a lot. Crema better than with a standard stovetop pot but it does need a bit of 'breaking in' and not being washed (only rinsed) in order to build up a layer of coffee oils on the inside.
Not sure it's better than a decent machine, but as I've been told I can't have a machine... A few people have said that Brikka coffee is a bit stronger than that made by other methods. Not sure how much credence to give that.
Andy

