The problem in evaluating scanners is that there are 3 huge variables, any one of which can skew the results greatly, (1) hardware quality, (2) scanning software quality, (3) operator skill.
My favourite scanning software would have to be Vuescan. I like the fact that for the professional version which is almost double the price of the standard version but still inexpensive, there's a one off payment required of less than US$100 that includes a lifetime of free upgrades and works on just about any scanner you are likely to use. I'm using Vuescan with a Nikon 8000ED, an Epson 4990 flatbed and a 5 years old Epson Perfection 1200. Should I decide to get a Minolta 5400 ll, it'll work on that too.
I think this must be the best value software I've ever bought. To get my Perfection 1200 to work on a Win XP system, I had to download the latest drivers from the Epson site in the UK (the American site seems to have dumped support for the 1200). The software works fine, except it's pathetically limited in its range of adjustments. Vuescan is 500% better.
ICE4 with the Nikon 8000 does not produce a perfect result with Kodachromes (slight double edge here and there), but Vuescan's infrared dust and scratch removal and grain reduction works just fine.