I'm resurrecting this thread after speakinh to Phil at the weekend, and it seems that the general opinion I gave of this machine was that I didn't like it.
I thought I ought to correct this view, as in fact I DID like it.
It is a very pretty machine, which produced some wonderfull espresso, and is very easy to use. My only complaint was with the steaming, which seemed weak to me coming from the Silvia, which, it seems, is actually a powerfull steamer, which I hadn't realised. It also seems after some digging, that the tip may be quite restrictive, so bigger holes (and ones that point straight down) would probably suit the technique I have learned better.
Anyway, just thought I should put the record straight if it seemed I didn't like it