[blueoval]

well Im with you blokes. I cant afford a 7k machine. But if I can try and get the best out of the $400 machine I got, then why not. You need to learn somewhere, and the cheaper machines just force you to improve on your own preparation/presentation and detail skills rather than letting the machine do all of the work.

Again, it's the little details that can just make an average coffee turn into something better with what you have. It isn't settling for mediocrity, rather it's striving for efficiency. I just enjoy what I have, trying a slightly different technique or bean, and seeing if that improves the flavor etc.

Im also a stickler for preparation of the machine. Cleaning the dreg tray/the basket/filter, pre-warming the cup, choosing the right type of milk even has an effect on the final finish and flavor.