Coffe Machines(Espresso/Cappuchino)

[Hysteresis]

I have had a De Longhi Coffee Machine for a few years - It is OK but to be honest I am a bit dissappointed with its performance in that it does not producwe the characteristic 'Creme' on black coffee and the Frother is only just producing frothy milk of a sort.
I understand that a 15bar machine is essential for 'good' coffee and the DeLonghi machine is 15bar (or at least thats whet it says on the box). The frother is a stem generator and as such just how the likes of M&S or any of the professional coffee house produce the froth they do puzzles me.
I have read some requirements for good froth such as milk straight from the fridge and even warm milk and have tried it all without success with this Cheap DeLongi thingy.
I have no problem with the prices of the expensive machines such as Gaggia etc, my prob;em is that I want a machine which will produce a 'Creme' and good frothy milk.
A neighbour, who is into sales of professional coffee machines, only comes up with silly solutions such as a coffee machine which costs £1300, which to be honest is a bit over the top.
Can anyone advise on a 'Good' Coffee machine in the price upto say £400. which will produce a good 'Creme' and good 'Frothy' milk

 

[^neo^]

Other half has a gaggia cubika (looks like thats what it says on the front anyway), think she got it direct from them.
Brilliant bit of kit. Not really a coffee lover myself, but this one chucks out a decent cuppa!

 

[JohnD]

skimmed milk froths better than milk with fat in it

(it also tastes better as the fat smothers the coffee taste. this is why restaurants like to serve cream with coffee, so you don't taste how bad it is.

p.s. if you can be bothered to grind the beans fresh yourself, it makes a dramatic improvement. I use a small Moulinex electric grinder when I can be bothered. It is much smaller than a blender attachment.

 

[Hysteresis]

Other half has a gaggia cubika (looks like thats what it says on the front anyway), think she got it direct from them.
Brilliant bit of kit. Not really a coffee lover myself, but this one chucks out a decent cuppa!

Looks a Nice unit. I trust it gives the Creme and a good Froth?

 

[Hysteresis]

skimmed milk froths better than milk with fat in it

(it also tastes better as the fat smothers the coffee taste. this is why restaurants like to serve cream with coffee, so you don't taste how bad it is.

p.s. if you can be bothered to grind the beans fresh yourself, it makes a dramatic improvement. I use a small Moulinex electric grinder when I can be bothered. It is much smaller than a blender attachment.

I only use Skimmed Milk but still can't get a good frothy Milk. I take your point on Freshly Ground beans. I use Taylors of Harrogate Pre Groung coffee. It is a nice coffee but alas no Creme. I'll try the fresh grind approach