From one Owen to another: just do it.

I started with a $70 De Longhi thermo-block machine and a whirly blade grinder. In a matter of a month or so I was pulling shots that were better than I could get at the local Starbucks (this was in 1999). A desire for more control and consistency prompted me to get a Gaggia Baby and a Solis Maestro grinder. Like you, I developed my technique to a point where I never had sink shots, but steaming was a bit tricky and a PITA, not to mention that temp control was always a bit challenging.

After about 18 months with the Gaggia/Solis combo I bit the bullet and bought a package with an Isomac Tea E-61 HX machine and Mazzer Mini grinder. Within a matter of a few weeks I found my average shots to be as good as the best ones I was pulling with the Gaggia, and my best shots to be superior. The difference was not as marked as it was going from the DeLonghi to the Gaggia, but it was distinctly noticeable. More significant was the increased convenience/ease of steaming and simplified temp control. I've been using the Isomac/Mazzer combo (now with SJs and Majors rather than the Mini) since 2002 and still get very consistent results. There is no real "temp surfing" required. I do a pre-shot flush of about 4 oz of water and then pull the shot about 20 to 30 seconds later. If I do multiple shots back to back then flush is eliminated between shots.

I paid about $1300 for the Isomac/Mini package when I bought it and cringed at the price. I had a daughter in college, was paying NYC area rent, and was earning far less than I do now. My buyer's remorse lingered for about two days after I started using the gear, then vanished and never returned. Like I said - just do it.

Two HX machines, with no desire to "upgrade" to a DB.

Office:

Ala di Vittoria "La Valentina" HX w/volumetric dosing

Home:

Elektra "Sixties" T1 HX w/volumetric dosing

OK, so that's me; YMMV. The La Val is indeed a wonderful machine, and it's rock solid. Were it me making the choice, I'd grab the La Val . . .

Cheers,
Jason

I can give you the perspective from someone who's recently done the upgrade from a Gaggia Espresso to La Cimbali Junior D. First off, no more portafilter sneezes to clean up (yay). My first shot with Junior was as good as the best I'd had from the Gaggia (I never got to the point where straight espressos were very good with it, although cappuccinos were good). The consistency with Junior is great. Having a boiler pressure gauge is invaluable, since the ideal gas law states that pv=nrt, it's essentially a temperature gauge and you can get repeatable temperatures on your shots without too much fiddling, styrocup measuring, etc. Plumbed in is another really nice feature, and one I hadn't thought I'd like as much as I do. You can pull two shots, one after the other, immediately steam and serve. The steam power is almost too much, and this is with the original la cimbali tip.

I don't regret the move one bit, although I think I have a fair bit of work to go to get my shots where I'd like them to be.