Mignon MG50E

Nope. I will not be giving my money to them cos I think the move to a Chinese factory is an insult. I got a flat burr eureka hand made in Italy and it was cheaper and better

A Flair58 and an eureka flat burr grinder will give you a wide range to work with and potential for awesome espresso of several types. I used a flair58+v2 stock and then added bookoo EM/scales when I got an itch, I used the eureka mignon specialita and modded it to be a zero retention single dose grinder before buying a niche and using it more, I've had superautomatics, semi auto and a modded gaggia classic, the best shots of espresso have come from the Flair58, hands down. You can get the absolute top model Flair58+v2 for just over 600 quid (or the older v1 with the uglier electronics but the same functionality for under 500) and you can get a decent stepless eureka grinder cheap enough that will last you for a long time (Manuale about 200+, zero about 250-370 depending on model, specialita about 380-420 plus mod bits for single dose, oro for the tiptop digital meanmachine touchscreen type shit, but thays gonna be over budget with a Flair)

The oro series has low retention. The Eureka Mignon griders that aren't All-purpose have traditional flavour profiles that are good with darker roast coffees. The Mazzer Philos also can come with the traditional burr. Niche Zero is similar, likely less flavour separation but I haven't compared Eureka to Niche Zero. The Niche Zero is cool but single dose, it is also glossy. The Eureka's can be single side and on demand.

If a Eureka can be found in this price range get it!! 😎💪 The real deal

Ode2 and Baratza Encores are the buy once for AP/PO. I’ve had my Encore for years pushing AP or doing the occasional PO. I also have a Eureka for espresso and 1z JX Pro, but once you go electric, it’s a luxury. I only take the manual when travelling or at our cottage.

At your budget, you could do a Breville Bambino Plus and a Mignon grinder. That's what I have and it is plenty of grinder and machine below aficionado "I can taste the differences between Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa beans at any roast level." Cheap machines are discussed so often here I keep a post: https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/comments/1pemyi9/comment/nshft26/ SUMMARY (US market): * hand grinders: 1Zpresso Q Air Manual ($70) and KINGrinder K6 ($100) * electric grinders: Baratza ESP ($200), MiiCoffee/Turin DF54 ($250), and any Eureka Mignon intended for espresso you can find refurbished or used * espresso machines: Casabrews 3700 ($100), HiBrew H10B ($125), De'Longhi Dedica ($150), De'Longhi Classic($180), Breville Bambino ($250), Breville Bambino Plus ($400)

Probably the cheapest best option is Baratza encore esp or eureka mignion

Two grinders is better than one if you switch brew methods. Ode + Mignon = better filter + no dial-in pain. Single “do-it-all” grinders always compromise.

Amazing gift and presentation of the gift. Props to the gift giver.  My situation is fairly similar to yours. At home I make a few espressos for myself while my wife drinks a cappuccino or latte. For this purpose a single boiler machine is going to be fine, but having a dual boiler will make your life a lot easier. The issue with a single boiler is not necessarily its capability, but the fact that changing the boiler temp to steam and then back to coffee takes time and effort. It gets annoying. With your budget, I think you can do better.  Yes, traditionally it has been good advice to spend as much, if not more, on the grinder than on the machine. But these days I think that advice is not quite as pertinent to most people. Affordable home espresso grinders have gotten good. It used to be the Rancilio rocky or get a $1500 Mazzer mini, but now we have the DF64 and all it's variants, the Lagom line, Eureka Mignon, Baratza, and many more to choose from. I say, take $500 for the grinder and spend the remaining $1000 on a nicer machine. If you look through online retainers open box or refurbished listings, you may find something very nice indeed. Let's also not forget that black Friday is very close. I think your $1500 can go far. Much further if you consider buying used from Facebook marketplace or eBay. I know I'd much rather have a moderately used dual boiler than a brand new single boiler. However, if you're intent on buying something now, and it must be new from an online retailer, let me suggest a few products.  Grinder: Eureka Mignon Specialita/Silenzio/Etc -this is one of the gold standards for a classic espresso taste in a package that excels in build quality, style, and ease of use. Seriously, it's quiet and the grinds are static free with barely any retention. I highly recommend.  Machine: ECM Casa V,  Profitec GO,  Lelit Victoria -each of these single boiler machines sits at the very top of the spectrum of single boiler machines. Each have good temperature control (PID), good build quality, and will steam enough milk for a Latte without running out.  Hope you find a setup that makes you happy. $1500 is an above average spend for a first espresso foray, so I'm sure whatever you end up with will be stellar. Many of us have started from $300 or $500 setups and progressed to where you are starting. 

Have owned all the grinders on your list, at one point or another. Agree that Duo might be your best bet. Ability to play with other 83mm burrs is a good hedge against future curiosity. Recommend getting second (filter) burr option, because having the extra carrier for fast(ish) swaps is nice. Cannot recommend the Eurekas. Good build, very pretty, but burrs are proprietary and the grind chamber/chute design is antediluvian. Fine for hopper base on-demand grinding, but crap for single dosing. Even with the mods (tilted base, bellows), retention is terrible. Eureka’s attempts at single-dosing focused grinders are not honest efforts. Just a new model name and superficial accessories. And their new dial is just…stupid. Still not enough ratio to overcome the thread lash in their adjustment screw. The rev counter is nice enough, but a big dial like [this](https://www.amazon.com/ARO-EspressoTM-Eureka-Mignon-Adjustments/dp/B0CLCB8VQ6/ref=asc_df_B0CLCB8VQ6) is much more effective (and not stupid looking, imho) Libra portafilter contact sensor was unreliable. I heard they fixed it, but I had given up already and moved on. When it worked, it was…ok. Weight accuracy wasn’t bad, but irrelevant because it was a hot mess of sprayed grounds. RDT absolutely necessary in my environment (20-50%RH over the year), but the extra moisture caused caking/clogging in the chute. From a taste perspective…it’s ok. Blendy, decent body, not a lot of clarity. Little unkempt and harsh. Good in milk drinks. Niches — good workflow, probably among the best, even compared against titan grinders at 5x the price. Personally, not a fan of Mazzer burrs. Harsh and bitter finish. The Zero doesn’t have any options for their 63mm conical, so you’re kinda stuck. The stock Duo espresso burr was, to me, a cleaner version of Zero profile. Other options: Mazzer Philos. The grinder itself is a bit pricey, and rumor has it that the i200D and 189D burrs are big improvements over Mazzer traditional flavor profile — but it’s a good platform for 64mm burr space, where you are spoilt for choice and the burrs are cheaper than 83mm. Hope that helps