I'm an espresso nut.
What makes espresso great?
The fresh ground espresso in a brand new broken in grinder, machine, barista, only have importance if the artisan roasted coffee itself is very good. Their impact revolves more on how much they detract from what is in the fresh roasted coffee to begin with, than anything else. They seldom or never add anything, they only subtract from the potential presented by the coffee itself. The best espresso tampers are available at great coffee roasters everywhere.
When it's all said and done. You need the best coffee you can buy online.