Recently upgraded to the Quickmill Silvano. It's an awesome machine, and in your price range.

I would not recommend starting with Miss Silvia. If you can, start with a machine that has better temp stability. Temp surfing is not easy to learn, adds a level of inconsistency to the process and gets old after a while.

In my experience the newer generations of Miss Silvia are less well finished, wear out a bit faster and are not necessarily easier to use. Particularly the new frother. I do not care for it.

I don't mean to highjack your thread but following along the same lines, have you picked a machine, purchased it, and have any feed back. I'm having the same exact issue you did in May. I have a gift coupon redeemable in a couple stores. I need to decide between the PV 8cup stradivari or the Pasquini Livietta t2. I love espresso milk drinks, espresso, and roast my own beans. I'm leaning towards the lever for the shot quality. Family is telling me, my palate isn't discerning enough to note the difference btw a vibration or a lever machine when mixed with milk. Anybody out there using a Pasquini T2 and pulling awesome shots?