Hello everyone! Super new here. Have some questions regarding the ACS Minima and the Lelit Mara X and thought joining this forum would be the best place to find the answer with @DavecUK’s extensive knowledge on both machines.

Essentially I am in the market for my first espresso machine and I am looking to get either the ACS Minima or the Lelit Mara X. I like both the looks (preferably with wooden finishes!) but slightly prefer the Minima’s unique aesthetic.

Where I stay (Singapore) the approximate price difference (Minima being more expensive) is as follows:
450.00 SGD / 332.69 USD / 293.53 EUR

I am wondering if the extra 450 SGD is worth the price upgrade from the HX to DB given that the Mara X doesn’t have the issues of a typical HX? And from my research, the Minima’s finishes (water tank, thinner metal, hot wand) are not as polished as the Mara X’s? I am also wondering about the items that comes with the machine (i.e. the extras I need to buy after getting the machine). I understand the Minima comes with a plastic tamper that I would likely need to switch out.

Some info in case it might help you guys help me:

I am intending to use this machine for the long term
I make 2 to 3 cups of black coffee (currently filtered, would be changing to Americanos / Long Blacks)
I prefer milk coffees on the weekends (also 2 to 3 cups per day)
If I have a group of people coming over I might need to make up to 5 cups of milk drinks, but this is rare and far between
I am using a manual 1zpresso JX grinder now which I intend to upgrade to a Niche Zero later this year - Side question, will the 1zpresso JX suffice as an espresso grinder or the grinder upgrade should come before the espresso machine?

Thank you everyone for reading! And nice to meet everyone! :)