Perhaps I can put the earlier suggestion of Silvia and K3 into context.
The Silvia was my first machine 16 years ago with a Rocky grinder. The Rocky has 58mm burrs.
I replaced the Silvia with a La Cimbali Junior (AUD now around $3,000) and continued to use the Rocky. The only difference in output was very fast steaming with the heat exchanger and 2 litre boiler. The Silvia is perfectly capable of an espresso of equal quality, and possibly better if PID'd.
I finally (2 years ago) replaced the Rocky with a Compak K10 (AUD $2,000 new) that I bought second hand. The Cimbali has had a new portafilter gasket in the last 15 years, and that's it.
The espresso quality improved with some blends and roasts compared to the Rocky, but not all. The blend, roast, freshness, water temp control, weather, humidity, tamp pressure, volume of grounds in basket, and phase of the moon make as much difference as the equipment at this level.
So, spend under $1,400 and get truly excellent espresso and small volume of lattes, if your technique is perfect, or spend $5,000 and get truly excellent espresso and higher volume of lattes, if your technique is perfect. See where I am going here?
Feel free to read everything written in the last 16 years about the Silvia, Rocky, Mazzer mini, etc, and every machine made since, but you will still end up in the same place.
Just trying to save you some time and $$, and get you drinking your first amazing home made espresso sooner, mate.
All the best.
J
Thanks Mute-on, I get what you are saying.
It's rare tahat I make more than 2 lattes at a time and vey rare that it's more than 4. So I guess it's option B and invest in a good grinder.