I bought this machine 6 months ago when I decided that I needed something that would produce great coffee and be reliable. My wife is Italian and our family only drinks espresso. I have made the route from cheap stove-top espresso makers through Capresso / Krups low-end, and a few years back bought an expensive Saeco automatic. Each had severe flaws: the low end capresso / krups produced terrible coffee ; the Saeco worked ok for a few months, but then began to have issues that I relate to the humidity of the midwest summers (this machine cost too much to have these problems within a year of purchase). I think the problem with the Saeco machine lie in the low-quality grinder. No machine I have ever had produced the quality of coffee as that made with the Rocket Giotto Premium.After switching to the new set-up, Barazza Vario grinder and Rocket Giotto Premium, I couldn't be happier. Very reliable, easy to clean, and consistently works great. I have seen these machines in small hotels in Italy and they are as functional as a professional machine, but with a smaller footprint.If I had bought this system 20 years ago, I would have saved considerable money, and had better coffee, over the years.