OT: Espresso machines

Agree with@photomax:

The number one mistake I see folks new to espresso is the focus on the actual espresso machine. The real deliberated focus needs to be on the grinder. A few years ago home baristas upgraded to expensive grinders that were designed for coffee shops. Lately the focus is on high performance “single dose” grinders with specific grinder burrs designed for specific results. A really good grinder is like the “source first” concept in audio. I cannot stress this enough: I would rather have a top level grinder and a so-so machine than the other way around.
 

Something like a Bambino Plus with automatic frothing and a Niche Zero (excellent workflow) would be a good match. For single boiler and long-term reliability - Profitec Go would be a good consideration, especially if you’re only doing occasional milk drinks. 

Agree with so many posters on this thread. There’s definitely overlap and no surprise that there’s connections between espresso and audio, especially when we look at the amount of variables (conical vs flat burr, light roast vs dark roast, Hx vs single and dual boiler, milk drinks vs straight espresso, bottomless vs spouted portafilter, various baskets, RDT & WDT, group head design, etc.) at play and approach to pursuing new and different purchases. 

+1 @chenry regarding cost and entry into the home espresso hobby. +1 @asvjerry for the link back to the Critical Listening and Altered States thread - definitely some similarities (ritualistic for myself regarding the process of espresso and enjoyment of end product while listening with a “buzz”).

More serious espresso nerds move on from Baratza due to the loud noise and the plastic gearbox that can fail over time. 
 

Full circle back to audio, I have a Baratza Sette 30 with micro adjustment mod that’s now used exclusively for our Moccamaster. I specifically moved on from the grinder for espresso because of how loud it was, in addition to its high-frequency pitch level - at one point I started wearing ear plugs. Measured the decibal levels this morning: 92dB peaks (87dB to 90dB constant)!