OT: Espresso machines

La Pavoni Europiccola...worked great for 25 years, replaced gaskets once myself following a Utube video...takes up minimum shelf space...authentic original Italian espresso...took me 20+ tries to perfect my technique but I love having full control with a manual pull machine. Plan to get it repaired or replace it with similar one.

A big fork in the road here is if you enjoy pure espresso drinks or drinks with milk. If you like cappaccinos or lattes then a quality double boiler machine is a must. 

I have owned several machines over the years. My main station has the Lamorzacco Linea Mini. It does an amazing job with producing great espresso shots and is super fast and powerful with frothing milk.

https://home.lamarzoccousa.com/product/linea-mini/?srsltid=AfmBOorGIA9TDQOX8ij6WKlrgiPauraKyY2kkxCno9N8fW9jdK8rH6bf

Espresso Machine or new 4K Projector? Upgrade my grinder or a new MC cart? Tough choices. 

Thanks for the honesty, @panzrwagn ...👍

Yes, it 'tis....but certain other addictions have made life in these Kinda United States of Beings into a Möbius loop...
You can view them here...

....I've a copy of that...and a loop that I found in a Target'.
Makes a great headphone stand.
The poster a standard warning to the fold.... ;)

Critical listening and altered states ought to be expanded beyond the 'more common uncommon'....but I tend towards practical cynicism these daze...

Buzz on, y'all

J

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)!