Printer Selection

This may seem a bit off topic, but since I am looking to use LR as my single printing solution I'll continue.



Looking to purchase a printer for photo printing. I currently have a 4 color printer (Canon PIXMA MP750) that after much frustration, accomplished decent photo prints. But would like to go to the next level with a 6 color device, and be able to put the MP750 back on the network for the others in my family to be able to print again (primary resolution of my MP750/LR issue was to connect printer directly to the PC rather than the network print server)



I considered dye vs. pigment inks and cannot justify the increased costs of the pigment systems. Looks like most pigment systems start at ~$400. In the dye devices I think a sub $200 device should be adaquate and I can justify that amount.



I've narrowed my list to 2 from different mfr.

Epson Stylus Photo R380 (or the RX580, same print engine I think)

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes%26amp;oi d=63059189

and

Canon PIXMA iP6700D

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct%26amp;fcategoryid=117%26amp; modelid=13363



I looked through the HPs and nothing jumped out at me.



Anyone that assisted me with getting my MP750 going may be surprised at me considering a Canon but I have a wealth of experience with these devices. The available different media types seems to be bigger for the Canon.



Inks are comparable in price and volume. The Epson is a bit faster. The Epson has high capacity cartridges option.



I'm pretty confident that no third party media providers are providing printer/paper profiles for this class of printer, so I will be constrained to media from the mfr. I see this as a plus for the Canon, wider selection.



I have an assumption that the Epson may be easier to color manage. I'm not sure if this is true for this class of printer. I haven't owned an Epson in many years.



Thanks in advance for any input. I know this is a high end forum and appreciate its wealth of knowledge and experience.



Cameras: all Canon D400, SD400, S1

PC: Windows XP SP2



Morey