I purchased this ice machine to replace a 14-year old GE unit that had been problematic and finally flat out died.Scotsman was a known brand to me as I had purchased several of their commercial machines going back almost 50 years ago. They were top of the line then and I am pleased with the quality of the machine I purchased judging from its fit and finish and operation to date.Installation was straightforward, particularly since I was replacing an existing machine and had the water supply with a filter and a drain already installed. You do need to get behind the machine to attach the drain line and space may be tight depending on your counter configuration. I was able to slide the adjacent wine cooler out and get behind the ice machine from the side.There were no issues at start-up. Within a short time large, clear ice cubes (cylinders?) were dropping into the bin. Noise: many have commented about the Scotsman machine’s noise level. When it is making ice the refrigeration unit starts first, followed by the water circulating pump. The noise level seems to me to be equivalent to the old GE unit I replaced. The difference comes when the cubes are discharged into the bin. Unlike the GE that produced rather small square cubes, the Scotsman produces large cylindrical ice that drop with burst of thuds into the bin. Certainly noisier than the GE, but only for those few moments when it is discharging ice. My machine is in our family room three or four feet behind the sofa I use when watching TV. The noise level isn’t a problem and I often don’t realize it’s been running until it drops ice.The quality of the ice is the reward for the increased noise. The large, clear cubes last longer in a drink than the small GE cubes. They are so clear they almost disappear from sight in a gin and tonic and their slower melting keeps the drink cold longer with less dilution. The quality of ice also offsets the operating costs of under-counter ice machines. Unlike refrigerator ice makers these machines are constantly replacing ice by allowing the cubes to slowly melt inside the insulated, but not refrigerated bin. Even if you don’t take any ice out the machine will run to replace the melted cubes each day. The upside of this is a constant supply of fresh ice that doesn’t harden into a block at the bottom of the bin or acquire a “taste” from being stores too long in the freezer.I am convinced I made a good choice buying Scotsman. It appears their quality and technology have not slipped over the years,