I've had 3 small levers (La Pavoni, Sama - still have it, and a Gaggia Achille), and have a CMA 2 group commercial lever.... and the Gaggia Achille produces the best of all the small machines. Sama is good, but not the same if you are used to a 59mm portafilter. None of them are on the same plane as the CMA, not even close.
Oh crap, I agree with Tex.....