@Knluk
As the owner of an early production machine (#25), I’d like to clarify that there was no issue with these machines even though the newer ones have some valuable improvements (better tamper, different ‘improved’ feet and rails underneath, steam boiler as in the ACS Minima to get even more steam? , C4 capacitor already removed to avoid a very minor tapping noise, redesigned drip tray grid which looks better but isn’t as scratch resistant as the original design, easier to remove shower screen retention spring).
I believe it’s possible to bring the early machines to the same specs as the new ones but there is very little point in it in effect (one needs an even larger tamper than the new stock one when using aftermarket IMS baskets, the old feet/rails do work fine, removing the C4 capacitor is optional and doesn’t take that long, the shower screen circlip has worked for decades in LSM groups in cafés all over the world and can be replaced by GU10 springs or a portafilter spring for free or for pennies…). One can order the new feet/rails (and I presume a spare steam boiler) from ACS for less than the increase in retail price, but why bother?
