What a machine.  Enables one to pull a beautiful, and delicious shot of espresso.  After an initial "break in" period for the operator (not the machine,) pulling impressive shots with a rich crema is easy.  Great steaming accessories (the auto-cap works well) as does the wand.

Light base could use some weighting down to make operation easier.  The bulk of its weight is in the boiler so the machine tends to tip back.  The double filter makes about only 1.5 shots worth, but with a carefully timed "half pull" it is easy to get the 2 oz. for a delectable double.  My pressure-stat was set to 1.1 which is too hot for espresso (about 208 degrees.)  Junk tamper is included. Not for a beginner.

La Pavoni Professionals are beautiful and functional machines.  However like any other "from scratch" cooking technique it takes time to develop the skills and master the machine.  Don't be intimidated by it.  It is not difficult, and if you buy a can of Lavazza (which is a decent grind, a little on the course side though,) one can easily master the tamping portion of the preparation.  With Lavazza espresso, it takes a good firm press to properly tamp; the resulting lever pull is almost but not quite equal in force and will be very smooth (no straining allowed) and will start rich flow enhanced with crema.  Then you can make the move to grind your own beans and match the fineness to your tamping technique.
My Pavoni Pro was an "Ebay" purchase that turned out to be a great buy.  It is a 3-year-old machine for which I paid less than half of the cost of a new one.  I found the service provided by Forzano Importers to be outstanding.  They shipped me new gaskets, and a schematic for service (since it is out of warranty and there are no repair spots in Maine.)  They talked me through a quick "readjustment of the pressure-stat to top it out at around .8-.9.  Now even the 6th shot is as good as the first.  I also discovered that by plunking down about 2 pounds of lead weights inside the base and just forward of the drip tray hollow-out, the balance was remarkably improved.  I will say though, that even out of the box, with no tweaking, it made great espresso, but the adjustments are easy and the machine is durable such that any service makes its product that much better.  It is a simple piece of machinery whose form follows its function.  Using the double filter with a single firm pull yields a not quite double shot (closer in form to a double ristretto.)  By allowing a good "pre-drip" and pulling the handle to the horizontal, pushing up and then resuming the pull I made a full double espresso with no sour character and a still remarkable crema.  I advise against a full two stroke pull however, as this will guarantee over-extraction and the resulting "lungo" is to thin for my taste.  My wife recently began using it and has given up using our old Krups Novo.  The quality of shot from the Novo varied from Ok to decent.  With most being ok.  The Pavoni will give you some poor excuses for espresso as you learn the machine.  But after a little practice it will yield shots that far exceed that which can be obtained by a home pump system.  
The purchase of a second filter basket (double of course,) enabled me to pull multiple shots in very quick succession. If you are in need of a durable tamper (but want to stay in the sub $20 range, the Starbucks tamper (without the attached spoon) works like a custom designed tamper.  
Overall it is an outstanding product, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys not just coffee but the art of preparation and the resulting gastronomic euphoria that only results from the intimation of skill from the creator though his tools to his art.
I would also like to reiterate that caution that others have posted about it being a "hot" one...it can and will burn you if you let it.  Consequently, and with a little common sense, one should not let children use it unattended (however if your 4 year old is a budding barista...)

An ebay purchase, buy only from a reputable seller, it is not a good idea to buy blindly.