I think that what is so hard about these decisions is not being able to try these machines for a few weeks first. Even a day might be enough.
For example, I read frequently about the benefits of flow profiling for light roasts. But on my HX machine I can make some nice shots with light (not ultra light) roasts by pulling longer ratios. So will a GS3 simply make that easier or a bit tastier?- maybe that's not worth it- maybe it is. Certainly it offers a new capability to make a short or ristretto shot with a light roast and still get a balanced extraction.
So it's not as if you CAN'T use light roasts with traditional machines; it's just different (maybe better) if you have more advanced tools. But it's difficult to weigh the pros and cons without actually getting to try it first hand.

The slayer would be an awesome endgame machine. I'm waiting on synesso to finally announce their home machine that they've been teasing. That might be a worthy upgrade for me in a few years.

I just picked up my LMLM, so maybe it'll be a few more years before I upgrade again.

Totally! Synesso makes some incredible stuff. Pulled the trigger on the Slayer so just listed the mini for sale! Bittersweet moment for sure.

drH wrote:on my HX machine I can make some nice shots with light (not ultra light) roasts by pulling longer ratios. So will a GS3 simply make that easier or a bit tastier?

My experience seems similar to yours with a solid E61. I found I could get the magic out of lighter roast beans enough to start sliding in that direction. Maybe half the time it was great. Maybe 1/4 the time it was a week of frustration without finding a sweet spot. With the same conical grinder (K10 WBC), moving to a machine with variable PI and extraction profiling took the success fraction up to close to every bag, assuming it was good coffee. I can't say those features made "classic espresso" significantly better. If thick, nuts and chocolate is your preference, I think you've pretty much maxed out with a good lever or an E61 with the ability to run a decreasing-pressure extraction. If you're pushing the boundaries, those features, I believe, make getting consistently great shots from a very broad range of lighter-roasted coffees easier.

I'm hoping that I might be able to tame the acidity and sour notes from lighter roasts with a "slayer" shot without having to increase my ratios too dramatically. I suppose I'll find out soon enough lol. Nonetheless it will be fun to play with a beautiful new toy!

Airbornewilly wrote:Totally! Synesso makes some incredible stuff. Pulled the trigger on the Slayer so just listed the mini for sale! Bittersweet moment for sure.

You're going to pair a $9500 machine with a $1500 indie gogo first run grinder? 0_o

I ordered the KEY to go with the LMLM before I decided to get a Slayer. That being said, WW has a pretty decent track record. I have other options available as well if it doesn't cut it!

I've heard from the grapevine the target for the Synesso Home Machine release is Q1 2022. I'm not sure I can wait that long and may end up with a single group mvp Hydra.

Just resurrecting this now that it's decision time: Linea Mini or GS3AV?
I like comfort blends mostly and I don't have the cabinet space for the GS3MP gauge. I don't plan to make any changes to stock machines early on. The question is: is there a compelling reason to spring for the GS3? The vendor I spoke to was unequivocal that the GS3AV would deliver a better experience.

drH wrote:The question is: is there a compelling reason to spring for the GS3? The vendor I spoke to was unequivocal that the GS3AV would deliver a better experience.

Saturated group, volumetrics.