Pro 9000 "Class" printers

OK, total printing noob here. I took Scott Kelby's class last week in NYC and he was rocking out prints off an Epson 3800 that looked just awesome, seemed like something I might be a little more into these days now that its somewhat more mass market and cost efficient than the last time I looked into it. Normally I get everything made at Costco and call it a day. But the ability to make prints that have multiple shots per page and with fine control over layout and other elements added in has its appeal.

But... $1200 for a printer just isn't likely to be a go for me.

So I started looking at cheaper alternatives. I remembered the Canon i9900 was the king of the roost last i looked... So I looked at the Pro 9000 and that seems really good, tho its dye based and I;m hearing great things about pigment based printers and the long delayed Pro 9500 apparently supports those kind that'll last longer. But the 9500 isnt shipping in quantity and is like $800 as opposed to the $410 shipped I could get the 9000 for.

I don't know jack about Epson or HP alterantives...

Any advice or considerations I should think about would be appreciated.

Epson 2400's are quite popular...

Since I posted this I've been googling like mad and I've looked into the 2400 but they are also in the $800 range and are closing in on 2.5 years on the market. It wouldnt shock me at all to see epson update/replace them soon.

Always pays to do a Forum search.
My opinion? In the end, you'll agonize till the cows get milked 10 times, and choice still breaks down this way: https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=3080332&p​ostcount=4
I am biased to vibrant color, and no clog low cost operation. Have not tried the HP.
PS: My boss races at Monmouth Park every week or so.

Thanks for the input.

I go to Monmouth Park bout three times a year, this is the first time nobody hassled me about the camera, they must be lightening up.

I spent a lot of time printing. Calculating ink and paper costs. I own a small time pixma printer for my 8x10 work, but all large format prints I take to the lab. It's cheaper long term.

Yes, I have a reputable lab within walking distance so I'm lucky.

Guess I'm gonna put this on the back burner for now. The models and prices will probably be quite different when I'm ready to put serious cash into it, for now I need longer glass than I do a printer when Costco works just fine for me and I really dont expect to be selling any prints.