Everyone is a coffee numpty when you meet someone who really knows his stuff. Anyway, it's a big faff this coffee business and you end up chasing something that is never.....quite...right. I have a Gaggia Classic. Great machine, not expensive, does what it does well ie it makes espresso and that is really all I want it to do. VFM? get a stovetop Moka pot by eg Bialetti. Stainless steel ones can go in the dishwasher. Bean>cup? Poss. the Jura at £600
is a good machine but its grinder may not be variable enough. Nespresso machines are good for what they do and are relatively inexpensive BUT you have to order the pods from Nestle so you are hostage to them.
Decide what sort of coffee you like (I use a cafetiere or moka pot in the am). From there, if you don't need mochachoccafrappachinolatte then you don't need a trick machine. Source of good beans? Monmouth Coffee, Wilson Roberts in Lancs, Absolute Coffee in Yorkshire. Going to a class at
Coffee Supplier - Commercial Espresso Machines - Barista training - Wholesale coffee suppliers for the trade - Commercial coffee equipment (may have had a name change) was an eyeopener. The tutor,Youri, was a master of coffee making. He could do the latte art stuff superbly, knock out a flat white or superb capuccino and was v.v.funny.
Grinders are a whole saga to themselves and if you get an electric machine you have to understand that your coffee can vary literally hour to hour and that freshness from both bean and grind are essential (plus temp,water pressure,tamp pressure etc).