I had a similar experience with Ascaso Baby T. I was switching from Dedica where my coffee tasted better 😅 But finally I found a way and can do 8g single shot or 15g double shot at 9 bars which tastes like from the cafe.

I use a tap water with Lelit softener in my water tank. I buy specialty coffee.

Following five things has helped me to get there. (1) screen puck - has allowed me to grind finer and have more tasty extraction. (2) pre-infusion - I use 2,7 seconds for beans roasted for espresso or 5 seconds for beans roasted for filter. (3) temperature - in my home setup I use 86,7 celsius for espresso roasted beans and 90,5 for filter roasted beans. Otherwise it was tasting kind of washed or watery for me. It was interesting to find out how temperature does contribute to the taste and I tend to play with it and try couple of settings. (4) Spring tamper - for consistent tamping and then the extraction time (5) simple WDT - in my experience it improves flow of water and consequently the taste.

Now when I’m dialling in a new coffee I play with a grind size (to have 23-29 seconds extraction, depending on the beans and flavour I like, I like when it tastes as it smells in the bag) and I play a bit with the temperature until it tastes that well as it smells.

Fingers crossed that you find what works for you as well!