GS3 (available as MP and AV)

I know not exactly in posted budget- but I had that exact decision, chose to wait and save a little longer and just got a used GS/3-MP. Couldn't be happier, not too much tech, but enough pressure control to do 95% of whatever you'd ever want to do. Then right after can make lattes for 10 guests without profiling and no setting changes.

I have a gs3. Takes 1 hour for everything to get to temp. Yes it’s an inconvenience if you want coffee right now and it’s off. I have it plugged into a smart plug that turns on at 6am everyday so when I’m up it will be up to temp. 

Don't get a GS3 AV. It's a waste of money and will not give you any better espresso than a Mini or Micra.

Former obsessed barista here lol i know how you feel :))) Almost eveything you say rings lelit bianca v3, the rotary pump, nice steam, flow profiling, except for the part about saving the profiles, that would be Decent DE1 territory. i don’t see myself with a LMLM at home, although I absolutely adore Linea in a cafe setup, it is just reliable, I wanna play around at home and need profiling (maybe GS3 but I don’t like the aesthetic tbh) Personally I would be happy with a gaggimate modded rancilio silvia but i don’t know if it would withstand 20 shots a day. I have also heard great things about WPM Primus but definitely doesn’t have the charm of a cafe workflow machine

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.

I have a LaMarzocco GS3MP and large cups won't fit either. I use a 14 oz Ember mug which is too tall to fit on top of the scales on the drip tray directly into the cup. Had to get creative. I remove the drip tray, set a plastic cup upside down on the inside of the drip tray, put the scales on top and then my cup on top of the scales. Yes, it's a PIA but have been doing it for years. I only make one cup a day and the quality of the drink justifies the effort. In my opinion. LaMarzocco products will last many years if cared for properly.

I think you made a great choice as well. I have owned my GS3MP for 4+years and other than installing a steamer repair kit that's it. Warm up time is around 20-30 minutes. It turns on about 30 minutes before I get up and is ready. I have owned a lot of espresso machines but this one is the most reliable.

Absolutely is. I have a power strip on the back of the coffee station and each of the plugs is named whatever machine is plugged into it. “Hey Alexa, turn on the Lelit.” “Hey Alexa, turn on the GS3.” “Hey Alexa, turn on the Gaggia.” I don’t bother with the Bambino since it is a thermal jet and is ready in like 3 seconds, but those smart plugs are game changers for E61s