I think most people who come for coffe don't care about espresso machines. My wife was shocked when I told her how much a good grinder and espresso machine cost

I think most people who come for coffe don't care about espresso machines. My wife was shocked when I told her how much a good grinder and espresso machine costs. Forget about knowing particular brands and product lines. And people who care tend to care in an unhealthy way. I would put them in same category as people focusing what kind of photographic equipment you use to make a photo. From purely practical point of view the espresso machine is one of the least significant ingredients. An espresso machine is essentially a heater and a pump that is supposed to push water through coffee puck at a given pressure. Some bells and whistles can help make a touch better coffee more consistently. A good grinder and well dialled is on the other hand essential and any misstep here will basically preclude you from getting good coffee. And if you don't get quality, freshly roasted coffee no of the above will save you.