Digital BW, The Print

I am debating which is best for making B&W prints.

I have an Epson 2200, but the "black/gray" inksets (or lack thereof) 
that are available for it from third parties is a problem. The 1280 
printer has a wider choice of 3rd-party inks, but I have also heard 
that the 1280 is inferior to the 2200 in final print quality. I have 
not seen the output from a 1280, so I can not make a call either way 
for myself.

I am concerned that the gains of using a better printer, might be  
"defeated" by the lack of suitable ink choices, and visa versa.

Has anyone  tested the two configurations  below:

SET #1						SET #2
Epson 2200 					Epson 1280
Std Epson inks					MIS Black/Grey inks ( or  other multi-gray set)
Quadtone RIP					Quadtone RIP

I just downloaded and installed the QTR program. Using it certainly 
seems to produce superior output for B&W prints with the std Epson inks 
when compared to the standard Mac X Epson driver on a 2200.  I just 
wonder if using a multi-tone B&W inkset on a 1280 makes a corresponding 
"leap" to the next level?