smallblueplanet
Yeah, I totally agree with setting out requirements, but really all that can be used as a firm base is we like drinking some coffees from grinding our own beans. (OK just being a bit silly ;) )
No, not silly at all! You’ve been making coffee on you machine for a while now, so would have developed a taste for the types of beans that you like. That’s a great starting point.
We had the Classic a long time and got used to drinking ‘what it provided’ and this wasn’t necessarily what we wanted, or so I think. So I have to consider that, from the pov of never having a machine that provides a wide range of coffee drinks well.
Yes, we’ve all been there! “I’ve got so used to good enough I can’t really remember what really good is anymore!” This might be where you put the requirement to be able to experiment a bit?
So we’re sort of starting the espresso machine journey from new, but in the end it will come down to spending for what I think we need coffee-wise against what I might like to have (just in case) coffee-wise. Overall the only vaguely fixed point atm is the budget, but… :D
Starting a fresh is a great approach. The only thing I’d say is maybe leave budget to the end. You might find that your needs are comfortably met or, unfortunately, beyond your reach given the funds available. To my mind, that becomes easier to surface once it’s clear what the actual wants/needs are. If that results in a device that costs more than you’re willing to spend, you can either compromise, deliberately, on aspects where you are comfortable to do so or postpone the purchase until you can get what you want. Rushing into something might scratch the acquisition itch for a while but you increase the likelihood of it returning sooner (at least that’s how it seems to work in my house).
However after all the good advice on this post I’m more certain of possibilities and sensibilities. Still think I’d like a Max, though it’ll probably end up being a.n.other e61 SB with PID, which will be fine too.
Whatever you pick, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. There’s a lot to be said for E61s. If nothing else, they can look stunning on the kitchen counter!