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I would be tempted by a niche. A lot of the frustration I have with espresso is dialing it in and wasting coffee waiting for the change in grind to come into effect, then overshooting because I haven't waited long enough and adjust again.
We got a second hand fracino cherub and quamar m80e for just over £500. We get coffee that we enjoy and if I was to upgrade it would be to have it plumbed in and how it looks rather than taste!
You'll probably want to hold back a bit of money for some milk jugs, cleaner, a tamper too!
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Niche gets my vote on the grinder front. And Hoffman did a review of £500 espresso machines too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HIGdYy5of4
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My setup is a Vario grinder and Silvia - I went for these as they are popular options and so lots of opinions out there if you have problems or questions. The Silvia has a large 'mod' community so even greater depths can be gone into on that. I think the ability to take the things apart and fix them/service them is good - something which the Hoffman video maybe doesn't go into.
That said I thought the little Sage espresso machine looked good for the cash and would give you more choice (money) on the grinder. The Vario changes between grinds ok but if you like V60 then it might be that you go for a grinder which is better at changing between grinds more regularly (Not sure what but others might have input). If you drink milk drinks then the steaming function will also be a bigger point.Until this year I'd used my machine maybe 2/3 x per week - now wfh I use it 2x per day for me and my wife and having a good setup has been brilliant but up until then espresso had seemed a bit of a faff but a nice to have
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@IamNotACrook
Possibly asked before and sort of off the back of the sage barista express chat.
I've just inherited some money and want to upgrade from my basic Delonghi machine and basic burr grinder. Late to the V60 game and I'm mainly using that over the Delonghi in recent months.
£1000 maximim for grinder and machine, what do you guys recommend?