Digital BW, The Print

Greetings Group,

I am a new member with a traditional b&w film/darkroom background and 
now converted to digital. I've been blown away by the quality of some 
b&w digital prints I saw recently and am totally fascinated with 
creating b&w images from the rgb digital pix I am taking now. I work 
in PSCS and am reasonably proficient. I'm fairly pleased with the 
channel mixer style of creating b&w (but always open to trying new 
methods) and I'm ready to take the next step and print. I need some 
recommendations and advice for:

Printers - I have a preference for HP products but will listen to 
group wisdom

Inks - I'm guessing that I must replace the standard color inks with 
grayscale inks - what is involved, software, drivers, etc? Who makes 
the best inks?

Papers - I print alot so super expensive papers are not good for my 
wallet. I tend to favor matte or semi-gloss papers and sometimes 
print duotone

Any and all help and advice is much appreciated.

Alan Trembly
atrembly@...