Digital BW, The Print

Hi All,
     I just got my 1280 this week and it does a wonderful job with
colors (although I'm probably going to try some hextone printing with it
soon).  But a number of the images I've printed really don't look quite
as sharp to me as the same images printed with my old 740.  I've tried
all kinds of different settings with the driver, and even sharpening on
the front end with software and the images just don't snap.  Does anyone
know of a place I can download a test file for printing and testing the
printer resolution?  I called Epson today, and they told me they'd
replace the printer, but I'd rather not go through that if it's really
just a contrast issue or something else.
     I also have noticed that the shadow areas of the prints are more
prone to printing with "digital noise" whereas I never saw that on my
old 740.  If I'm going to try hextone inks and use this 1280 for B&W
I've got to know the printer is right before I do that.

Thanks,
Ed
http://lightandsilver.com