I’ve used a home espresso machine, with built-in grinder, daily for at least 10 years. I’m generally happy with the results - there’s some variability but most everything I make is acceptable, and I fairly regularly get something I feel is good. Recently I’ve been getting a lot of “acceptable” and it’s been a long time (many months) since I’ve made one that I’d call “good”. They’re missing that bit of oily lustre that I feel really makes it perfect.

• I drink a single shot over a small amount of hot water
• I get my beans from a local (same province) roaster that say they roast to order
• I like dark roast beans - the roaster calls it their Italian roast
• my house water comes from a well and is naturally a bit hard, but we have a whole house softener
• I’ve never de-scaled the machine because of the water softener - there’s no build up or crusting at any orifices
• I don’t make any attempt to get perfect extraction quantity - I grind, tamp and trim with the tool supplied with the machine. When I first got this particular machine (about 4 years ago) I programmed the extraction time, but a can’t remember the “recipe” I used
• I’ve tried beans from one other local roaster (via a grocery store) with the same results

My experience says it’s stale beans, but I’m buying roast to order, so I’m confused.