I've been in the 49mm world with a Oly Cremina, Maximatic and Elektra MCAL,. I have no experience with the various 58mm machines. I've seen some of reviews and heard various comments over the years. I mostly use the Cremina and then the MCAL for brighter/cleaner shots. I do a lot of homeroasting and find it's hard to communicate with others who use 58mm pump machines. I really do like the flexibility and simplicity with these 3 machines. So I'm looking for 1 solid 58mm machine, handles a wide range, non-automatic, pourover, temp./pid. The Maxi will go . Curious about the "coming soon" Domobar but the price might make me think of a lower option.

Why not pick up a MiniGaggia lever machine too? They're cheap, and I don't see an open boiler on your current equipment list, and it takes a standard 58-mm basket (the ears on the PF are different than other Gaggias I think).

After using the mini a while I think I realize why there is so much discussion about extraction issues in the 58-mm world. The relatively wide and shallow puck is much more prone to channeling than are my good old 45's. Now that I've got the mini dialed in though, it really makes nice espresso.

PC