Yeah, espresso machines are not just glorified coffee makers, they are works ofr art in their own right, and tweaked over years and years by companies who work with nothing but espresso machines. I ended up just going with my gut and ordering a Rancilio Silvia V3 and Rocky Grinder. The only downside to the entire thing is that its a single Boiler Machine (12 oz, but still only a single) and unlike the Francis instruments out there it is not an autofilling boiler, so you have to stop it and allow time for it to fill between rounds of espresso and froffing with the steam wand. 1050 is not ALL that expensive for a good single boiler. My next step up would've been around 2k just for the machine with another 500 going into the grinder. I love my espresso, and the ability to make that perfect shot on my own. But it is never going to just be given to you. It takes the right equipment, beans, person, and work. If you have the best manual equipment in the business, it will brew a bad shot `100% of the time with the wrong person. I loved my gaggia but was dissappointed in the life span of it lasting out only 1 year and a few months (making it a few months past any warranty service). The grinder has been the largest let up in my whole battle, the grinder has gone out 4 times in the past year, and the most recent placement they set me (baratza) went out day 1 . . . that's when I pulled the plug and needed to make a full equipment change. After all, if I can justify order $1600 in carpet python babies, why would I have to second guess spending 1050 on equipment that brings me nearly as much joy, but equally as much stress ;-).