thanks Eric S., Perhaps I should describe this better. If I put in a blind filter in the portafilter and turn to brew--or turn on the hot water valve and close the steam valve, pressure in this gauge rises quickly to 10 bar. But I regardless of the grind I make with Rocky and trying a variety of tamping and preinfusion techniques, when I tun on brew, the pressure gauge barely registers. At first, i get a slow dark flow. But then it acts like it channels--the flow becomes faster, paler and w/o crema. Examination of the puck looks like it is wet through, and pretty evenly. I will try coffee ground elsewhere.