Picked it up off ebay for ~$25
A decent little pump machine
I removed the silly rubber steamer thing
I also disabled the 'procrema' portion.
The portafilter was a pressurized type designed to create proper brewing pressure.
I dissasembled the 'filter holder' AKA portfilter.
Then I removed the oring that acts as a pressure valve. Then I ground out several parts of the
internal channel and drilled several small holes in the upper plastic disc to ensure good flow.
I now produce some very pretty crema.
I recently used a Krups 2300.
I was not impressed with it. It had this silly auto cappuchino thing which disturbed me.