I use an epson 1500w, with a Ciss and I do my own ICC, the printer is excellent. You will not know how it prints until you actually press the images, you will need an ICC.

If you go down the route you have, it will reward you, but you need to spend money on an ICC or the equipment to do your own, you need to spend money on test printing, to establish times and temperatures for every product you will be printing on. If you want to maximise your print quality you will have different iCCs for different substrates. If you change paper or ink suppliers you need new iCCs.

Rest assured the 1500w is a very good printer, the ciss will work very well.

Janners