I moved from a highly modded Gaggia to a PVL.
There was certainly an adjustment period as they are very different tours of shots but I'd never trade back.
I had both the SAMA and the Classic for a period of time. I worked really hard to get the best I could get out of the Classic and it produced an excellent shot and wonderful microfoam after I tuned the OPV, added the PID, upgraded the steam wand and bought the K-10.
The SAMA can do all that without any fuss or bother at all, and even did it before the K-10.....:-)))
(Which is why the Classic is now, finally, up for sale.)