Digital BW, The Print

I'm pretty new to digital b/w printing and have been experimenting
with 1280 and BO, but 
am feeling like it's time to invest and branch out.  That said, I
don't really have much patience 
for tinkering.  

So, the price of a used 2200 + Imageprint is pretty close to that for
a new 2400.  Given my 
lack of patience, I'm wondering if the RIP is a better option for me.
 2400 samples are easy to 
come by, but not so much prints from the 2200+RIP.  

I guess I'm soliciting opinions on output from the latter combo and
also the plusses and 
minuses of each option.  Thx - brad