Digital BW, The Print

I recently saw some B&W prints on a 2400 using Kirkland glossy paper 
and they were amazingly good for just hitting a couple of buttons... I 
believe they were at least as good my QTR semi-matte prints on a 4000 
and probably better(!)using the stock profiles.  I don't make my own 
QTR profiles because I just don't have time.  My question is for those 
who are linearising output and doing custom paper profiles in QTR etc., 
have you compared them with the 2400/4800 stock B&W prints,and if so, 
how did they compare?  I've thought of trying to find the time to delve 
into doing my own custom profiles if they're was a vast improvement, 
but I just don't know how they really compare...?  Given the price 
break on the 4800 and other improvements I'm thinking this might be an 
easy but high quality option ...  
Thanks!
SteveB