In a word  – awesome!

You guys, and the internet, did create a set of expectations on how hard it would be to get the beast dialed in that were way worse than the reality.  Took about 9 shots to get the grind right for my Cremina (including one that was so fine I could not even move the lever!).  Then one box of minute rice to get the number of rotations for a 15g shot down to about 38 (and it’s already down to 32 on the 4th day).  Since then, 13 straight shots that all rank in the top 10% I’ve ever gotten from that machine in 25 years.

….

I had high expectations and so far they have been exceeded.  The consistency of great espresso I have gotten is a wonderful thing.  Thanks!