Monolith Flat MAX3

Hell yes. DF 83 v, Libra, Z1, J Ultra, Kafatek max 3 and Pietro pro. I have 3 set ups. Home, work, vacation. Oops. I have a Timore X Millab too.

So I started with a Niche Zero but did not love it. I felt like I was buying great beans and not getting the most out of it. I then bought the DF 83 v and it was a significant step up. I then tried to upgrade the burrs but could not get one of the screws out which left me not happy. Then I watched the Brian Quan video where he visits Kafatek and fell in love with the concept build quality etc. I got one of the first Flat Max 3 and it has been an end game. Nothing I have tried (z1, EG1 or Philos) has touched it. The DF 83 v still makes great coffee at work. Probably the best bang for your buck I have come across for a big flat burr grinder. I also have a j ultra for travel. Check out this video from this search, coffee influencer visiting kafatek https://share.google/lsHnK10dz67CPj8H9

I think you could get away with a La Marzocco Micra with a color of your choice. It is a a smaller footprint than the mini which I think your wife would like (mine would too but she is stuck with a big Rocket R Nine One). The Micra does not require plumbing and is very stylish. For grinder, the Weber Works EG-1 or the Kafatek Flat Max 3. If you want something smaller. The Zerno z1 will do the job.

It is very consistent.

Kafatex for sure, the other grinders are very much espresso focussey (heavy body). However if you like those brews, thats fine!

Your grinder is the most important piece in your espresso system. The brewer is the least important. That is, if you are going for the taste and experience. Decide if you want a grinder with a hopper or if you want single dose. The Zerno Z1 or Z2 ($1,500 to $2,500), Kafatek M6 ($2,500), Lagom P80 ($1,800) are just a few very good single dose grinders to consider.

Kafatek Monolith Max with Shuriken burrs are the ultimate end game

So I was in your situation and this is what I recommend. Machine: Machine Slayer single group. Hands down. Haven't pulled a bad shot yet, looks amazing in stock form. I considered LMLM but it doesn't look as good as the slayer on the sides. If you're stuffing it in a corner with the grinder hiding it, cool. Sanremo You has just as many features as the Slayer, a couple more actually, but you have to decide between the style of your kitchen or coffee area. That is the only reason I did not buy this machine. Water: Do not buy any of these machines without a proper water setup. Needs depend on region and kitchen design so I won't recommend a specific setup. However, you'll need reverse osmosis with remineralization or you'll be rebuilding your machine sooner than later. Budget about 2.5k USD. Also, keep in mind that if you are only hooking up to your machine for two coffees a day and not using it for day-to-day water use you may have sediment issues from highly infrequent use. Consider adding a water spigot and enjoy the benefits of filtered water in your home to push the volume needed to have the system operate within spec. Grinder: Two key considerations ease and convenience of grind by weight (GBW) vs single dosing. Downside of GBW is when I have the occasional guest request decaf, I either have had to have pre-ground an entire bag and packaged and frozen each dose in between grinding. There's about 2 to 3 doses worth of beans in the chute of my grinder. That being said, if you have a favorite roast it's no problem. Single dose doesn't have this downside, but it's more tinkering and more time. GBW: -Mahlkönig E80s -Fiorenzato all ground sense Single Dose -Kafatek monolith flat max if you're espresso only -Titus nautilus if you're pour over or drip Kafatek has specialized burrs that edged out the Titus for me. I'm espresso only. Nautilus has amazing customization options that go with Slayer, so check their Instagram. Remote power brick is manageable with Bluetooth controller since you'll have a plumbed in machine, but that's the big miss on this high end machine. -Weber eg-1 gets honorable mention but I don't think the build tolerance and quality matches either other option. Best of luck, let us know what you pick.

Grinder is a hard ask, perfect grinder technically would be a Sanremo X-One, but it is huge and financially only good sense for a shop (it replaces 3 grinders so at about 8000€ not too bad), coupled with a Sanremo espresso machine and a RO with remineralizing filter for water. Told my misses about this one and she was a little concerned I was contemplating it. Keeping home aesthetics and size in mind and if I would only want one grinder I’d probably get an EG-1 or Monolith flat Max. Currently have two grinders though, one with hopper (83mm burr) and one single dose for my decaf/specialty drinks. Which I would be unlikely to drop as single dosing I won’t do for groups or in the morning, a large burr gbw grinder would be my choice. For the espresso machine, a Sanremo you or LM GS3 would offer everything I would want, but honestly a simple flat profile machine with good pid and dual boiler like a LM Mini R or a Micra is good enough for me already. Micra does come with some short comings, the reduced height is a little annoying at times. Mini r was too big for my counter though.

KafaTek Monolith Max is incredible.