My first thread!! 
Okay, so it's another one of those 'what should I buy threads'.. sorry :P
Let me tell you a bit about myself as it will impact on what you may advise me. I purchase coffee from a cafe everyday, usually twice a day at that! My favourite haunt is Zokoko at Emu Plains (I'm in Penrith) and The Penny Royal in Mosman (I work in the area... yes it's a long way to travel! Anyway...). I've wanted to buy an espresso machine for some time now and my Fiance last week said 'You know it would probably be cheaper if you buy a machine and make it yourself'.. so, I need to strike while the iron is hot!! I am the only coffee drinker in the house, so the machine will be at max making 2 milk based coffees a day. I have NEVER used an espresso machine, but I'd like to think that I know a good coffee from a bad one (although I am thinking of doing a barista course with Jetblack when I get my machine). I am getting married soon and alot of our money is going into deposits for photographer, venue, food etc. BECAUSE I will be the only person utilising this machine it means I dont have a HUGE buget to work with - BUT I still want a good machine that I can make great coffee on (and wont be tempted to buy from a cafe).
So.....
I have done a bit of research and while I would love a Silvia/Rocky combination (or Lelit etc), I am thinking a Breville BES860 might be the go for me (looks and sounds easier to use for a noob than the silvia).. and my fiance didn't scoff at the price tag (I can buy it for $650 at the moment).. although he did say that it would count as my christmas present, which I'm fine with.
So I want to know, is it a good machine that I can make good coffees on? Is the grinder good enough (I've seen many people have modified it, I'm not sure if I could do that myself).. Should I buy a cheaper machine without a grinder and buy a better grinder seperate? Because my Fiance doesn't drink coffee he cannot fathom us spending alot of money on something only I will be using. He HAS given me the green light to buy the BES860... I want a machine that a total noob like me can work it, but can also perform to my standards when my skills improve. Is it a jack of all trades but master of none? What espresso/grinder package could I get for a similar price that a noob can still use?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Kid.

Okay, so it's another one of those 'what should I buy threads'.. sorry :P
Let me tell you a bit about myself as it will impact on what you may advise me. I purchase coffee from a cafe everyday, usually twice a day at that! My favourite haunt is Zokoko at Emu Plains (I'm in Penrith) and The Penny Royal in Mosman (I work in the area... yes it's a long way to travel! Anyway...). I've wanted to buy an espresso machine for some time now and my Fiance last week said 'You know it would probably be cheaper if you buy a machine and make it yourself'.. so, I need to strike while the iron is hot!! I am the only coffee drinker in the house, so the machine will be at max making 2 milk based coffees a day. I have NEVER used an espresso machine, but I'd like to think that I know a good coffee from a bad one (although I am thinking of doing a barista course with Jetblack when I get my machine). I am getting married soon and alot of our money is going into deposits for photographer, venue, food etc. BECAUSE I will be the only person utilising this machine it means I dont have a HUGE buget to work with - BUT I still want a good machine that I can make great coffee on (and wont be tempted to buy from a cafe).
So.....
I have done a bit of research and while I would love a Silvia/Rocky combination (or Lelit etc), I am thinking a Breville BES860 might be the go for me (looks and sounds easier to use for a noob than the silvia).. and my fiance didn't scoff at the price tag (I can buy it for $650 at the moment).. although he did say that it would count as my christmas present, which I'm fine with.
So I want to know, is it a good machine that I can make good coffees on? Is the grinder good enough (I've seen many people have modified it, I'm not sure if I could do that myself).. Should I buy a cheaper machine without a grinder and buy a better grinder seperate? Because my Fiance doesn't drink coffee he cannot fathom us spending alot of money on something only I will be using. He HAS given me the green light to buy the BES860... I want a machine that a total noob like me can work it, but can also perform to my standards when my skills improve. Is it a jack of all trades but master of none? What espresso/grinder package could I get for a similar price that a noob can still use?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Kid.

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