I think my negative-size inkjets generally look better than my contact prints from the same negative, if you're talking purely about smooth tones and sense of detail and texture. I'll show anyone side by side examples if they're skeptical.
As far as the nature of the tonality, and which process best serves a given image ... this is purely subjective. For my work I find I prefer ink anywhere between half and three quarters of the time. Your mileage may vary. If you've honed your skills in the wet darkroom, expect a long learning curve before being able to get good results in ink. And vice versa.
You should ignore anyone who says the wet darkroom gives vastly superior (or inferior) results. The differences are subtle and mostly subjective.
There are other differences to consider. One is the working method you prefer. If photography for you is largely about process, then your love / hate for playing with chemicals in the dark might make the decision for you.
If you're selling your work, then the preferences of your market may be a factor. In most of the contemporary art world, collectors and dealers care very little about your process. But there are corners of the art world that are into traditional craftsmanship (and corners of it that are into avant garde processes that make ink jet seem old fashioned) so you should be aware of this.
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