My last espresso machine was a Krups and to be honest, I thought it performed great. Recently it began to give off an unusal smell, almost like a burning smell so I thought it would be a good time to purchase a new machine. I found the Breville at Bed Bath & Beyond and fell in love with the look and construction. The question was.... Will it brew a great shot of espresso and foam my milk like there was no tomorrow??? As I unpacked it from the box, my 1st thought was how heavy it is. The unit itself weighs 31 lbs and is constructed quite well. I will tell you that I am by no means a "coffee snob"...