I'm trying to see either it is my technique or the roasters is not being honest with me.
[This is a spinoff from" How to get a full body taste with low end espresso machine?"
The following photos are taken tonight with the beans that supposedly roasted on 29th of Dec.

This time, I have scale the beans and slight the grinder to the point of extraction prior to blonding at 28-30sec. [oh, light temp too]
This is measured at 15g of beans and 30sec extraction:


This one at 14g and 27seconds:


Taste:
Both shots taste bitter, initial sip I can feel and taste the creama but I'm being overpowered by the bitternessof the espresso.
Oh, I should I also mention based on my low-tech temperature surfing, the brewing should be around 200*F.
And I also have tried to separate the initial 5seconds extractions from the rest of the shots. Both taste test on the initial extraction taste very sours and bitter-Can that be true?

Much appreciate for your suggestions.
Regards,
Simon

The crema is too light, indicating low temperature. When the brew stat is satisfied (i.e. either the ready light comes on, or the boiler light goes off), turn on the steam stat for five seconds, turn on the pump, turn the steam switch off five seconds into the pull. You can tune the amount of time on the steam switch to get the temperature right.

Not sure if these points have been mentioned:
-- Crema color is a rough indicator of shot temperature. Your photo's yellowish/tan color is too cool. Nut color, or nut color with dark flecks is good. Brown with dark streaks is too hot.
-- Saeco machines usually need to get goosed with the steam switch to get up to proper brew temperature.

What is the coffee being used?

Espresso JC by Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena CA.
Purchased on 2nd of Jan and reported been roasted on 29th Dec.

It would be helpful (given that we can't taste or smell the shot) if you could use a coffee that other folks here have experience with. Any chance you could pick up some Black Cat from Intelligentsia (either Silverlake or Venice)?

In the first thread leading to this one you stated you were using Reverse Osmosis filtered water. Did you ever change your water out?

-Cecil