text: $2000 for a "decent" counter top espresso machine? I had a $100 DeLonghi pump machine that made perfectly good espresso. I replaced it with a Gaggia Classic, because the DeLonghi died and I wanted something that would last, had replaceable parts, and was built by union workers making a living wage and good benefits. I bought the Gaggia, a burr grinder, stand, some cups, a frothing pitcher, and some descaler for $600 (it's about $100 more now). You can get one heck of an espresso machine for $2K.