Well almost a week in and some thoughts:
It is a female machine. Why? Well as soon as you get the variables all sorted and things are running smoothly, and all of a sudden for no reason it all changes. Back to the beginning.
as for the shots, I cannot really quantify why the coffee is better. The shots are far thinner than a pump machine, but the flavour extraction is so much more, well flavoursome. You get a lot more of the subtle flavours in the cup and I think it is very well suited to single origins. as I have said the crèmes are sucky, but for me that adds to the quality flavours.
It really is a completely different way of brewing coffee. It is immersive and a very absorbing method.
It does have drawbacks though, like getting the dose just right and the tamp just right. it isn't as forgiving as a pump machine. It is light (3KG), but this is also a benefit as it slides back and forward on the work bench.
The lack of steam is now an issue as the wife has taken an interest in coffee again with the 'other woman' coming onto the scene...typical see what I mean about the rules changing! Now looking for cheap lo tech milk frothing solution
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)