Currently thinking about dipping my toe into espresso but there's a lot of paralysis by analysis going on as I watch videos.

My budget will realistically be around $1k USD, but looking for suggestions at different ranges for Grinder and Machine sans any additional accessories. Not really interested in manual machines, I want to do milk drinks as well as shots. I'm also not adverse to doing some modding, but if I'm getting a $500 Gaggia and adding a $250 kit to it, it might make more sense to just get a $750 machine, yeah?

EDIT: More info after the automod comment. I have fairly limited counter space. I already have a Fellow pour over setup in the space, I can get creative but nothing too massive. And I'd likely have 1 shot every couple days, more if I have friends/SO over.

So here are the budgets.

$500
Grinder:
Machine:

$800
Grinder:
Machine:

$1000
Grinder:
Machine:

$1500
Grinder:
Machine:

Let's see what you all come up with.