While my ACS Evo Leva is not perfect on all fronts, most of the issues I’ve experienced are cosmetic or minor niggles (scratches discussed above, sagging drip tray, spring and pump noise) and I can’think of a better machine for my needs regardless of price (good capacity dual boiler with PIDs, quick warm up, tank operated, possibility to improve on the already very good lever pressure profile, quality parts, simple interface, etc). I can also live with some of the quircks such as the weird PID units. I’m not brand sensitve, so the fact that it only has an LSM ‘style’ group doesn’t matter to me (the features of it, such as the group heaters and its stainless steel internals do matter to me).
It could certainly be improved like anything else (say silent direct plumb in for the few who have a suitable water setup, easy way to drain/descale the boiler, etc)
I think the fact that Paolo is supporting the product via an open forum and looking for solutions for the existing owners is also something rare, and very valuable.