QTR-Quadtone RIP

Greetings, all.  I've been experimenting with QTR for my Epson 4000
with OEM (UC, K2) inks.  I haven't (yet) acquired a densitometer or
built custom profiles, so I'm using profiles that came with QTR.

I'm comparing an image run (nearly) directly into QTR with a version
run through Qimage into QTR.  The Qimage print appears darker in the
darkest 10% (based on 21-step and dark-shadow-detail image regions). 
This was discussed in this forum in January 2005 but apparently not
resolved.

Any new insights?  I like Qimage's resizing and print sharpening, and
I may be able to regain QTR's native ability by fiddling with ink
limit and gamma... but I'd rather be sure first that I'm not
experiencing pilot error.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Test environment:

   - Windows XP/SP2
   - Photoshop CS2
   - QTR v2.4.2, Quad400, 2880 dpi, matte ink, uni-d, ordered dither
   - QTR UC-EEnhMatte-cool (100%) UC-EEnhMatte-warm
   - QTR ink limit = gamma = 0
   - Qimage Studio Edition v2007.113
   - Qimage 360 ppi, Hybrid interpolation, Sharpen 5 (default)
   - Epson Enhanced Matte paper
   - Northlight Images B&W Test Image (8-bit JPG, Gray Gamma 2.2)

Comparison tests:

1.  In CS2, resize JPG to 7.07 x 10.00 inches (300 ppi).  Save as
8-bit TIF with embedded Gray Gamma 2.2.  Print with QTR.

2.  In Qimage, specify page of 7.5 x 10.00 inches (360 ppi), then
print JPG (same embedded Gray Gamma 2.2) to TIF with "QTR - RGB Matte
Paper (P, BPC)".  Verify embedded QTR profile with CS2.  Print with QTR.

I somehow suspect that a key question is whether QTR pays any
attention at all to the embedded profile in the incoming TIF.  Roy?

If it does not, then am I simply seeing small differences between the
original JPG/TIF (tagged with Gray Gamma 2.2) and Qimage's TIF that it
is color managing to (and tagging with) "QTR - RGB Matte Paper (P, BPC)"?

If so, then how should I adjust things in order to soft proof accurately?

Michael Miller
Atlanta, GA
(milogiacomorambaldi47 on Yahoo)