I usually scour the online reviews, Geoff, and, already having an Epson 890, which was amazing at the time but quite slow, I sold that to my brother and bought the Canon becuase the price had come down so much at Pixmania. I know now why as it was being discontinued - but what the heck, as you say, it prints utterly flawless photographs - and at such a speed it's hard to believe it's possible.
Have you tried out different types of paper on it? I haven't used it a lot since I bought it as school and family issues have occupied me too much, but it certainly prints well on Epson hi-gloss premium. I can't find a source of Canon paper locally and will probably order from 7DayShop.com as their price seems very reasonable.