Mignon Filtro Series

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. 

Eureka Mignon Filtro/Notte/Silenzio. Any electric grinder is loud, if you don't want noise, get hand grinder instead. 

Eureka Mignon it is. You can buy a third-party steps dial (Etsy should have it) that would help you go back and forth. 

Second a eureka mignon - Italians make good motors

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

The Eureka Mignon series will grind to the 190-195 micron range depending on which model.

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