Here's an edited version of the Epson release. We are very eager to test out these claims and review units are on their way to us.

Epson Introduces Another Breakthrough Product for Fine Art Photography with
the New Epson Stylus Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 Inks

New Eight-Color Epson UltraChrome K3 Pigment Inks Provide Stunning Archival
Color and Black and White Prints up to 13" Wide

LONG BEACH, Calif. - May 10, 2005 - Epson America Inc. has once again
changed the world of photography with the introduction of the Epson Stylus
Photo R2400 and Epson UltraChrome K3 inks. This new printer, coupled with
its innovative ink technology, offers professional and fine art
photographers the most advanced ink jet technology available to date. The
Epson UltraChrome K3 pigment ink set ensures both a wider color gamut and
superior black and white output with print permanence ratings that are
perfect for gallery exhibits. With three levels of black and advanced
driver controls, the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 enables users to create
professional-quality prints on a wide variety of media.

Replacing the award-winning Epson Stylus Photo 2200, the Epson Stylus Photo
R2400 will be the printer of choice for professional and fine art
photographers, as well as serious amateurs.

"Epson has a legacy of providing photographers and digital artists with the
tools that enable them to express their vision. The Epson Stylus Photo
R2400 and the new Epson UltraChrome K3 inks produce stunning color prints in
addition to black and white prints that look and feel like traditional
silver halide prints," said Patrick Chen, product manager, photo imaging,
Epson America. "Quite simply, this printer with its Epson UltraChrome K3
inks will redefine photographic printing in the industry with the next level
of uncompromising quality, ease of use and print permanence."

New Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink Technology
The Epson UltraChrome K3 ink set is a unique eight-color system designed
specifically for professional and fine art photographers and digital artists
who seek exhibit-level photo quality. Inspired by Epson's past generations
of pigmented inks, Epson UltraChrome K3 uses higher density pigments to
widen the color gamut. In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and
light magenta, UltraChrome K3 features a special three-level black ink
system that simultaneously uses black, light black and light-light black to
create professional neutral and toned black and white prints from a single
ink set.

Epson UltraChrome K3 inks also boast output without color crossover or color
casts. In addition to professional-quality black and white output, Epson
UltraChrome K3 produces higher degrees of color fidelity and stable colors
superior to that of other ink technologies on the market. By using
high-gloss Microcrystal Encapsulation(tm) technology, Epson delivers
improved pigment and resin chemistry to provide better scratch resistance
and glossier prints.

The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 produces unparalleled black and white prints
and gives the user the choice of two interchangeable cartridges-Photo Black
or Matte Black. This feature optimizes the black ink density for various
media types, which produces richer blacks and higher contrast output.
Professional results can be achieved with the Photo Black Mode on a variety
of glossy media, and in Matte Black Mode on matte and fine art media such as
Epson's Velvet Fine Art, Enhanced Matte and UltraSmooth Fine Art. Both Photo
and Matte Black cartridges are included with the Epson Stylus Photo R2400.

New Advanced Printer Driver Control
The Epson Stylus Photo R2400 driver is enhanced to provide users with
unprecedented black and white image control. The driver settings offer
quick toning presets, separate controls for shadow and highlight tonality
control, maximum optical density control, reduced gloss differential, and
custom tone control. Furthermore, Epson's proprietary driver and screening
technology offers users a unique method for converting color digital images
into professional quality black and white prints.

I installed a new 2400 a few days ago. I tried printing a monchrome using Ilford smooth high gloss paper. There were rusty bands in some of the deep shadow areas. Has anyone else encounted this? If so do you know of a fix?
I tried PEarl surface-no problem