This was a replacement for a previous purchase a couple years ago. I broke the carafe and panicked . Found this one and I'm happy again. I wish they made replacement carafes though.
Drink tea regularly - you'll appreciate this taste difference!
The additional cost is greatly 'worth it' in a different Quality of Taste! You could take a blind test with 2 glasses of tea. You would be able to identify this tea maker's glass - based on the taste!