Wow, that was...
Re: Moccamaster - roastpuff nailed it. It's a solid, reliable unit that will last years to come and you can expect consistency from its brew. My cousin has a Breville Precision and brews an awesome coffee even if you use grocery store beans. I have a Costco-purchased Braun unit and it brews a good pot of coffee, but I am able to discern flavour nuances between the Braun, the Breville, and a Mocamaster. This is from years of coffee geeking and nerding (highly not recommended.)
I can't comment on whether or not you are doing anything "wrong" or point any faults to the equipment you are using, but perhaps some coffee education may help. See if any of the local roaster offer tasting sessions. I know JJ Bean used to offer public sessions but they may have discontinued it. Email a few roasters in town and see if they offer any tasting education sessions.
Having said all that, I don't really know anything about coffee so you guys are better off listening to guys like Hehe and roastpuff. Be sure to ask roastpff to brew you some coffee.
