[hud 91gt]

I'm no Barrista, but a friend purchased a $900 grinder, and a $2000 semi-auto machine. We spent many pounds of coffee playing with that thing for the most perfect cup possible. It was fun. True science.

After all that, we did a blind taste test of an Americano using the machine and then a cup using an aeropress. He preferred the aeropress. He soon sold the machine.

On that note, nothing beats the looks of a well made espresso with some beautiful creme. But unless your palette is that particular. Any decent machine will work. But I second buying a Nespresso which uses the new bigger cartridges.