First of all, for this price, I would expect it to make a much better cup than my previous Cuisinart standard drip machine. I can't say that there is really much of a difference. In fact, the Cuisinart made hotter coffee. This one makes coffee that is very warm, but not hot. Now for the annoying part. It sounds like a turbine engine when brewing. Yikes! Thats not the best thing to hear first thing in the morning! Now, the thing that if I had known, I would not have purchased this coffee maker. My wife wakes up with the roosters. I'm barely waking up 2 hours later, and if I don't make it within that window, I'm forced to drink microwaved coffee. I know, I should probably just make another pot, but thats just dumb. Not having the ability to adjust the warming plate timer is just asinine. If I were still within my return window, I would send it back.