Digital BW, The Print

I have a Sony 21" Multiscan E500 monitor.  When profiling with Optical 3.7
Pro, I cannot get the brightness levels low enough, nor the contrast levels
high enough.  I have tried experimenting with the bias controls in addition
to the gain controls for RGB, with no better results.  The b&w prints (Epson
2200 with OEM inks and IP6, on PR 308) look good, but it bothers me that the
monitor is not within the range that Optical wants. So I have two questions:

A. Is this common, or is my E500 just not up to the task (it is about four
to five years old)?

B. If the answer is to retire the E500, is there an LCD monitor that is as
good as a CRT for B&W, especially in the shadow areas?  I'm less concerned
with cost (within whatever reason goes with this hobby) than accuracy and
consistency.

Thanks as always for any advice.

Regards,

  --Ken Carney
    www.kencarney.com