Digital BW, The Print

Hi all,
I began photography a year ago now. I only had a cheap Snapscan E52 
to scan my negatives and post the result on photo.net 
(http://www.tinyurl/2m89b) For now it was just ok for me and web 
editing. 

Traditional printing is for sure very interesting but it demands a 
lot of time and years of practicing to achieve a good print.
I work in video games industry as a computer 3D Artist for over 10 
years now and I've been using Photoshop since v2.0
So digital printing seems to me much more efficient and practical. 

Now I am considering to go a little further into photography, making 
a portfolio and exhibitions if possible.
As my budget is quite limited I plan to buy a Nikon Coolscan V ED for 
my negatives and a printer which I did not choose yet.
I am considering an Epson 1290S or 2100/2200.

The MIS Ultratone system is very interesting as it seems very easy to 
use. Easier and cheaper than the Lyson ink system or the Piezography 
system.  
I've read many things about the Epson 1280 with UT2 but I can't find 
this printer here in France. Is it the same type as the 1290S ?
Are the prints better with UT-7 than with UT-2 ? 
What is the difference in term of quality ?
Which printer do you recommend ?

Thanks for your advice and help.

.Thierry Burlot.
www.tinyurl/2m89b