I would say LMLM doesn’t have anything in particular, bar the badge, that makes it an outstanding machine. It is a very good machine, do not get me wrong but as others have already pointed it out, bad value for the money.
If you look at Rocket you should aim a bit higher, R9 One. But if this attracts you then you have two great competitors to it at almost half the price, Bianca and Vesuvius. Both full of quality parts and immense potential for producing great coffee shots.
You have never mentioned the grinder side, but I assume that aiming that high machine-wise you have this sorted out.

Good luck with your decision and eventual purchase. The most important thing is for you to be happy with whatever you go for in the end.
EDIT: I have just seen that you have got a Niche so the grinder is sorted out.

Current setup: ACS Vesuvius, Nuova Simonelli Mythos One. Past experience, Nuova Simonelli Apia 1 gr., San Remo Capri 1 gr., Bezzera BZ 35e, Fracino Heavenly. Anfim Super Lusso.

Contact me at: john_yossarian11@yahoo.com

A decent would be no good for steaming

Ive personally steamed 450mls of milk with my bianca for hot chocolate and it did that in about 40seconds.

I favour the bianca because i own one. But its a machine i settled on after going through 5 others.

For your needs dual boiler is a must.

Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

    Cuprajake A decent would be no good for steaming

    Why?

    I know it’s a bit slower than some, and doesn’t work in parallel, but it can produce it almost instantly, so from a workflow perspective you can churn out drinks pretty quickly. This is for home use after all.

      Because it takes nearly a minute to steam milk for one drink

      Its just slow and if the op is going to be making 5 to 6 milk drinks one after the other its just a faff.
      That vid shows the new wand, iirc that comes ln 4k machine now.

      Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

      Thanks for clarifying your reasoning @Cuprajake.

      I’m not sure a decent is on the list, but at least 250ml of milk in 60s will help people assess whether this is ok or not for their situation. I tend to do flat whites [130ml], so two drinks worth of milk in 60s, especially with the auto feature so that you can be prepping the next shots, would be fine. That’s the beauty of this hobby though, plenty of options for everyone’s use cases.

      Decent would be like buying the latest gaming PC, you know in 6-12 months time you would need another upgrade, new CPU, new generation GPU, faster memory, SSD, etc.
      Buying something that has relatively (to HX machines) new technologies in it, e.g. PID, double boiler, ability to program start up, etc. is more modest technology-wise but bullet proof and is going to last.

      Current setup: ACS Vesuvius, Nuova Simonelli Mythos One. Past experience, Nuova Simonelli Apia 1 gr., San Remo Capri 1 gr., Bezzera BZ 35e, Fracino Heavenly. Anfim Super Lusso.

      Contact me at: john_yossarian11@yahoo.com

        John_Yossarian Don’t know if I fully agree with the PC analogy - my PC is over 2 years old and can still comfortably play the latest games at 2560×1440 60FPS, mostly on the highest quality settings and 4k with a mix of settings. I doubt I will need to upgrade anytime soon…for at least another year or 2.

            Beverast I was talking about the game enthusiasts that populate forums such as overclockers.co.uk

            Rarely a “self respected” gamer would stay with the same rig for longer than 12 months. And I do not mean to undermine your gamer’s skills at all. 🙂

            Current setup: ACS Vesuvius, Nuova Simonelli Mythos One. Past experience, Nuova Simonelli Apia 1 gr., San Remo Capri 1 gr., Bezzera BZ 35e, Fracino Heavenly. Anfim Super Lusso.

            Contact me at: john_yossarian11@yahoo.com

                8 days later

                So I have chosen a machine! I am going to be getting an ECM Synchronika, it came down to aesthetics in the end.

                What are thoughts on what smart plug to get? I am not in a smart eco system so any type will do.

                I have started to look in to water too and in all honesty it has my head spinning.

                Cheers

                Ross

                  Thanks guys, best get some ordered.

                  Ross

                  • LMSC replied to this.
                    14 days later

                    Goodfella I have the Synchronika and have been very happy with it. Great steam and plenty of it and really nice quality to the exterior - I’m sure you’ll be pleased with your purchase. Just remember its super heavy and you might need some help getting it out of the box and up on the counter ! As for value for money, well if your using something every day and its part of your kitchen, then you may well need to take aesthetics into consideration and that includes the weight and feel of the components, levers, handles etc.

                    My favourite definition of ‘value’ is “the perceived benefits, usefulness, and importance of something". It means that value is entirely subjective. For some the La Marzocco Linea Mini is overpriced for it’s technical functions for others it’s a joy to see every morning - just as my Synchronika is for me when I stumble into the kitchen on a Sunday morning…

                      Yet another vote for the Bianca, I’ve had mine three months and still look forward to using it every day.

                      I suppose looks are subjective but to me it has the aesthetic appeal of a classic car or a well-kept Vincent motorbike.

                      I coveted a LMLM but realised I don’t own a coffee shop or an Instagram account so saved myself £2.5k and couldn’t be happier with the Bianca. It also comes with some great accessories (spouted & bottomless portafilter and decent tamper among others)

                        Goodfella What did you end up with? Is it Bianca or Vesuvius or something else ? Thx

                            LMSC

                            Goodfella So I have chosen a machine! I am going to be getting an ECM Synchronika

                            Very nice, enjoy👍

                                LMSC

                                As Grif mentioned I went with the ECM Synchronika in the end, mainly down to aesthetic’s. Had it just over a week now and I am over the moon. Thoroughly enjoying the process and the difference in taste using the same beans compared to my Oracle is amazing, probably more to do with the Niche though.

                                I was a little anxious about how long it would take to be able to steam milk but it has been instant, very easy and quick!!

                                Should the Porta Filter live in the group head even when it’s off? When I got my Oracle the Sage guy told me it should only be in when heating up.

                                Cheers

                                Ross

                                    Goodfella Very nice! Well done and enjoy your coffee making.

                                    Goodfella Should the Porta Filter live in the group head even when it’s off? When I got my Oracle the Sage guy told me it should only be in when heating up.

                                    It’s ok to leave. I always lock it back even when the machine is off.