I think there may be cause for a couple of clarifications. E61 machines are known to produce heavier brews, effectively bringing out whetever body is in the grinds being used. That is their style. Its a little difficult to compare a PVL (I have one) with other machines using full size commercial filters, because they dont hold the same amount of grinds...so to compare, one would have to adjust the volume of liquid put through, to account for the difference in weight of grinds as compared to machines using commercial size filters. "Full size" lever machines have their own style, and that is what they do! There are many facets to comparing items of equipment to one another and the black coffee they can produce is only one of them especially in this market where most people drink milks. Steamability, ease of use & the logistics of working around a machine, serviceability etc are other legitimate points to compare, equally important to the standard of coffee, and may differ according to individual owners. It would therefore probably be of greater benefit to compare a lever machine with a similar (or atleast, similar size, pitched at the same market) lever machine, and not cause an unwarranted avalanche of people crossing their favourite electromechanical machine off the list and replacing it with a lever, because someone said the resulting coffee has "more clarity". E61 machines asa group produce "more body"..... They are different animals, clients need to decide what it is they are looking for in the equipment, and the ability to visit a working showroom and get a demonstration is not a bad thing if they have no prior experience with equipment at this end of the home market. People with electromechanical machines who also roast their own coffee, can also roast and blend their coffee to give "more clarity" in their machine. Hope that helps.
