yep im interested in the nuances of coffee and coffee making. Thinking of perhaps the brewtus, but im afraid my newbie handling skills will do it no justice. especially maintenance also, im afraid i might neglect it.
If you like espresso or lattes get an espresso machine.
If you just want to enjoy and appreciate coffees and not a must to drink espressos, then i think brewing coffee using pourover or infusion methods are probably better. easier to appreciate the differences in single origins, washed vs natural processed, high altitude vs low , robusta vs arabicas, geishas vs heirloom, etc
Espresso is delicious and intense but nuances are not always easy to pick out.
if you have a friend who has an espresso machine get him to let you try making a shot. some effort trial and error and skill is required to make a good shot. easier to make good brewed coffee.
I went with the french press when i started out then got the jura, silvia, vbm. Along the way got the aeropress, multiple v60s, kalita wave, syphon, vietnamese phin, bialletti and woodneck.
Hope to keep collecting and maybe one day get a slayer, strada or hydra...
of course all this is nothing without good beans....
I suppose if you have zero experience with speciality coffee get a cheap v60 and a porlex with some nylon, papa palheta, ninety plus, strangers reunion, or cup of excellence single origins will give you tons of enjoyment.
when you want to go into espresso and if finances allow it just venture into a capable hx or double boiler. Single boiler with pid if you only make espressos should be ok.
maybe at the onset get a machine with a 58mm portafilter. then you can use vst baskets which helps with extraction with most coffees.
take it slow and enjoy the (coffee) journey!
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