Agreed. I put in a Combimate a few months ago (plumbed for the whole house, not just the boiler). It makes it much easier to clean taps, etc.   You don't get the soapy benefits of soft water, but you also don't need to find space for a hulking great machine that uses additional water, electricity and needs refilling with salt. Phosphate-dosed water is believed safe to drink (many USA municipal water companies dose at source).