Digital BW, The Print

After about an hour and a half on the phone with Epson support, spread
over two phone calls,they agreed to replace my printer.  However,
during the first call the tech insisted that there was nothing wrong
with the printer and that the problem must be elsewhere.  I had to
insist that there was something wrong with the machine and after
consulting with "Level 2" support she agreed to do one more test and
then go for replacement.

It's interesting that she based her opinion solely on tests made on
plain paper.  The printer had printed a good nozzle check and a sample
of text on plain paper without showing any microbanding.  She had also
asked me to print my test image on a piece of the same plain paper.  I
told her that this type of paper would not show the problem, because
of the rough pitted surface.

After going through all their tests - with the exception of removing
and reinstalling Photoshop - they agreed to the replacement.

Ed