I've used a spice grinder and multiple cheap ($40-120) espresso machines. I smoke - and even I can tell the difference between pre-ground and fresh ground coffee...
Espresso tastes exactly the same out of any of them to me; only difference is the longevity of the units. But the current $40 Mr Coffee design has lasted the longest (4 years of daily use, no issues).
Perfectly happy with that. But then I only buy Peet's coffee - because using junk coffee has more far more effect on taste than the machine it's made in, I think.
Some folks insist you can only use a $2000 commercial espresso machine. I've worked multiple places that had one in the kitchen - and I really cant' tell any difference - much less $1960 worth of difference.
So I just feel sorry for those folks for the cruel trick life has played on them
in much the same way as I felt sorry for an ex-workmate who felt compelled to spend $3500 on a turntable (didn't include base or cartridge) because he could hear the difference ...