Lightroom 3 - impoved print quality?

Not run any full size prints off, but have done 3 sets of contact sheets from my slide archive that I've been scanning - quality of the colour reproduction much better and the image is definately a lot sharper (printer is an HP 8450).

Only other difference to my set up is I've just installed an HP B9180 (special offer at Clifton Cameras - £400 inc postage - irresistable )

So is it LR3 or my set up (ie the software that came with the B9180) that's responsible for this improvement?


Steve