Digital BW, The Print

Now then, being a newbie this thread appealed when I saw it appear. 
Save to say that I now feel overwhelmed by the wide and various ideas, 
systems, software and such. And there I was wanting to broaden away 
from the Duotones and  Quadtones in Photoshop. 
Sooner or later I know I'll have to get around to some serious B&W 
investments but for the moment, compromise appears to still rule the 
roost. The results I get at the moment seem OK but I want to get better 
results one day. A new printer is a start but then again, which one??
And as for simple and reliable B&W printing? That would appear to be 
the reason for this list's existence - speaking as a timid newbie....

Iain Kirk