The Encore isn't great for espresso, IMO. You can get a Notte or Facile for a decent price, though. $349 for a Facile at Whole Latte Love, for instance. The Facile is great; basically a Silenzio (og, not the new 55) minus the timer -- a couple cheap 3D printed parts (or the fancier but pricier official single dose mod kit) and it's one hell of a single doser.

$150 ain't getting you a good grinder, dude (unless you go manual).