We bought a delonghi latissima in 2008. it is a nespresso - my husband mainlines espresso. He likes nespresso. I'm not enough of a discriminator to not like it, so it's fine.

Anyway, i clean and decalc every month, but the thing's still going. It is the most reliable machine I've ever had, and I've had two gaggias, a breville and a saeco semi automatic (all in the US).

I have to admit though, that Tom's machine is intriguing.