Read my previous post on the pro and con plus how to overcome the shortcoming. One thing I like about the machine is the pressure gauge and build in brew/steam timer. You can program the timer too. For this price, you can't find other machine that can match it. For next step up, I would be looking at RM 3k+ WPM machine. Wouldn't touch Gaggia Classic or Silvia V5 as I feel it's overprice plus no build in PID. You still need to mod those machine to get more stable brewing temp plus retrofitting the pressure gauge which is troublesome. In year 2020, I personally would prefer machine with PID and build in pressure gauge. Cause these would be 2 of the most important parameters that determine the quality of the espresso.

Personally Delonghi Dedica would be similar to Saeco Poemia that I own previously. Gemilai is way better as beginner machine. If you don't want to mod it, at the very minimum, do the hot water dumping into the water tank to around 50 degree Celsius. Normally I make 2 - 3 cups per day. Morning I'll do 2 x triple shot (using IMS basket) back to back without any issue.

Final advice to you, get a good grinder. You will be surprise the difference it make for coffee.

This is gold advice. At the budget level, allocate more into your grinders than machine. The returns in results is much bigger
Temperature issues you can still make do with dumping or purging but a bad grind is pretty much done for.

I just try out using the steam knob to control pressure. It works on the first try. Trying out 30s pre infusion @ 2 bar. First drop  trickle out around 20s and I ramp the pressure to 9 bar after 30s then slowly bring it down to 6 bar. Brew time around 20s to reach 1:2 ratio. The espresso is slightly thicker and more syrup feel.

Conclusion for anyone looking for cheap entry machine, you can use steam knob to control the pressure. Just make sure your machine come with pressure gauge.

I remember ppl need to mod it for espresso