[jyl]

There is a mod I can make to open the solenoid without starting the pump, thus allowing brew water under line pressure into the group head for pre-infusion purposes.

I've resisted making this sort of mod to the machine, because I don't really want to fuss and fiddle with my espresso.

There are a couple of cafes in the area of Marseille where my daughter's apartment is, that for EUR 1.50 will serve a very tasty shot that I like better than the USD 3.50 shots from almost every cafe in Portland. No fussing with the shot, they have everything dialed and the shots are very good every time. That's my aim.