Digital BW, The Print

I know that all scans require some sharpening and that is a simply 
a 'fact of life' - but how can I tell/measure/establish if my 
particular scanner is achieving 'normal and acceptable' levels of 
sharpness standards ?

I personally feel that the scans are all too soft but I've never 
owned another and cant compare. I also dont know anyone else with a 
similar film scanner to try the same neg or transparency elsewhere.
Even with fine grain material like Kodachrome 25 or 64 the scans 
appear too soft.

I prefer to have no sharpening filter on in the scanner software; 
preferring to leave usm to the very end of the image editing.
 And I make sure the auto focus is on (little 'target symbol' in the 
centre of the scan frame) in the scanner software.
I am using the Glass film holder to ensure a flat film plane.

Should I be seeing a crisp and sharp scanned image or is this 
unrealistic ? Any ideas, suggestions ?
thanks
Frank